West and north west transport
Senator Cosgrove sought a debate on public transport inequality in the west and north west, citing poor rail and road connectivity. She said the western rail line is still missing services after Covid and asked why they have not returned.
I would like to follow on from all the points that have been raised here around the balance of transport. I would welcome a debate with the Minister for Transport to look at the imbalance there is when we look at the west and north west of Ireland in terms of public transport. I refer to the train line but also the N17, the N54 and the N15. We have been overlooked as a region. I know other Senators such as Senator Noonan have raised the Local Link services which have transformed rural Ireland. It has definitely transformed our part of the world. We need an emphasis on opening up the western rail corridor. We refer to it locally as the spine of Connacht and it will transform both North and South. We talk about economic development and having an all-Ireland approach. I would welcome the debate to include the rail corridor in the strategic all-Ireland rail review.
Also, on the point of public transport, I raise the issue of why the catering trolley has not returned on the Sligo-Dublin train.
Comment on this
It was removed during Covid. It has returned on the Dublin-Belfast train and the Cork-Dublin train. I ask the Minister for Transport why it has not come back to the north west. Maybe it is indicative of the emphasis that is placed on transport in our region.