Rose Conway-Walsh Demands Quick Reopening of Western Rail Corridor
Rose Conway-Walsh urged the minister to prioritise reopening the Athenry to Clare Morris section of the Western Rail Corridor and sought a commitment to fully open the Clare Morris to Calooney section. She argued the line is a viable project that would catalyse regional business, tourism and access to education, and highlighted cross‑party agreement and past funding opportunities.
Request to reopen Athenry–Clare Morris line
She pressed the minister for a clear commitment and timeline to reopen the Athenry to Clare Morris line, asking when that phase will be operational and requesting assurance that both phases of the route will be fully opened.
Concerns about the All-Island Strategic Rail Review
She welcomed the All‑Island Strategic Rail Review but expressed concern that the Clare Morris to Calooney section is not included, and asked for a government commitment to progress that part despite its omission from the review.
Arguments on economic, educational and tourism benefits
She argued the Western Rail Corridor is a viable project vital for business growth, tourism and student access to education. She told the minister the corridor, like Knock Airport, would be a catalyst for development and cited recent meetings with the Hotels Federation on the importance of rail for visitors.
Local campaigning and evidence cited
She referred to conversations with local campaigners, naming Coleman and Raheli from West on Track, and cited the Bradley Report as supporting evidence for viability and local support for the project.
Funding history and urgency to act
She noted cross‑party agreement on the project and said that funding had been available in the past, including possibilities to lever EU funds that were not taken up. Speaking as enterprise spokesperson for Sinn Féin, she reiterated her interest in getting the line up and running as quickly as possible.
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Minister, I am really glad that you are here. The reason for that is the Western Rail Corridor. You have always given your commitment and I must commend you in the way that you have worked in trying to get, when you were in opposition, in trying to get the Western Rail Corridor. Firstly, the link from Athenry to Clare Morris and from Clare Morris to Calooney then. So I don't need to tell you how important it is. You know that. So what I want to see in it is that, obviously, we get as quickly as possible, we get going on the Clare Morris to Athenry line, or Athenry to Clare Morris line, to get that done and up and running. And you know, and I know, and you know what our conversations with, whether it be with Coleman or Raheli from West on Track, and the group involved there, and the Bradley Report and all of that, that it is absolutely a viable project. And not only that, the necessity of it for businesses and for the growth of that region, it is huge. The Western Rail Corridor, no more than Knock Airport, would be a catalyst for development in the region. And it is what people want. Now, in terms of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, I certainly welcome that. But I am concerned that the Clare Morris to Calooney part isn't in it. And I suppose one of the questions I would ask you is that, albeit it not on the All-Island Rail Review, can I have your commitment, as somebody who is in government now, that we will open that line fully for both phases of the line? And if you could give us an indication, even from today, of when the Athenry to Clare Morris part will reopen. There is cross-party agreement. There is not often in this House that you get cross-party agreement on things. But there is cross-party agreement on this project. We have the money to do it. Indeed, we had the money many times over that we could have levered from the EU as well. And we did not do that. But that is history. I am interested in, and as enterprise spokesperson as well for Sinn Féin, I am interested in us getting that up and running as quickly as possible. We had much discussion here around student fees as well in the last few days, and the absolute dire situation that many families are in because of the cost of education. Well, accessing education is hugely important as well. And that's why we need that line as well to open up the transport that we need. Tourism, again. I have just met with the Hotels Federation. They will tell you how important that is. When people come into this island, they want to be able to travel by rail. So I am glad to see you in the position that you are in. And I have every faith and every hope that you will do the right thing in relation to the Western Rail corridor. I am glad to see you in the future. Thank you very much.
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