Rural and Community Development Committee to discuss progress on resolving Galway-Limerick railway flooding

Scheduled witnesses include

• Clare County Council Director of Physical Development Carmel Kirby and Senior Engineer John Leahy
• Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade and Senior Track and Structures Engineer Colin Hedderly
• Office of Public Works Commissioner John Sydenham accompanied by South West Regional Engineer Cian O’Donaill and Principal Officer Liam Basquille responsible for drainage maintenance and flood policy
• National Parks and Wildlife Service Principal Officer John Fitzgerald and
• Geological Survey Director Koen Verbruggen.

“In May the Committee asked the OPW, Clare County Council and Irish Rail to form a working group committed to finding an urgent solution to the frequent major flooding which halts services on the Ennis-Limerick railway line at Ballycar for months at a time,” said Committee Chairman Joe Carey TD. “Committee members are keen to learn what progress has been achieved to identify a solution that avoids disruption for travellers occurring again along that line.”

Deputy Carey said the Committee also would explore the potential benefits for improving passenger and freight rail services, for constructing new heavy rail connections to airports, and for reinstating closed railway lines in underserved regions of Ireland, including an extension from Athenry to Tuam and Claremorris.

“The expansion of heavy rail services could facilitate economic growth for communities across Ireland, opening markets and opportunities,” he said. “It also would provide an important climate change mitigation measure.”

The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live here.