The McCann Report referred to in the Programme for Government commitment on the Western Rail Corridor was submitted to the then Minister for Transport in 2005 and concluded that there was a strong case for the restoration of significant sections of the Western Rail Corridor and outlined four phases for restoration. Phase one of the corridor from Ennis to Athenry was opened in 2010. As the Deputy is aware, in 2011, the Government decided to postpone restoration of the remaining phases of the corridor.
No decisions on any future changes to the rail network, including any decisions relating to the Western Rail Corridor, will be made before the Government has had the opportunity to consider the results of the National Transport Authority's (NTA) recent public consultation process on the Rail Review which received a considerable number of responses and on which the NTA is undertaking a report.
Finally, as the Deputy has pointed out, the Programme for Government also commits that no measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of the Western Rail Corridor for rail use. I will ensure that this commitment is fulfilled.
