Seán Kyne TD – Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources
Galway, Wednesday, 16th November ‘16
Public Consultation opens on Rail Review which will impact on rail services in the West – Kyne
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources and Fine Gael TD for Galway West and Mayo South, Seán Kyne is urging people in Galway and the West to take part in the public consultation on the future of the railway in Ireland.
The consultation is being organised by the National Transport Authority which regulates a range of transport services across the country and follows the launch by the Authority and Iarnród Éireann of the ‘Rail Review 2016’.
The Rail Review is a comprehensive analysis on the railway network in Ireland including usage information, services and routes as well as the investment needs of Iarnrod Eireann.
Commented Minister of State Kyne: “The public consultation on the ‘Rail Review’ is important as the report will influence and shape the future of railway services in our country.
“It is particularly significant to Galway and the West due to the Western Rail Corridor. The annual Heavy Rail Survey, undertaken last November and published in September 2016, showed that 1,174 used the WRC on rail census day giving a figure of over 400,000 journeys per year.
“It is telling that the initial focus of the publicity surrounding the Rail Review has been on the railway lines outside Dublin, particularly in Tipperary but also the Galway to Limerick line. Railways need investment if they are to be successful in providing an alternative mode of transport, for work or for leisure. Railways are a social good designed to provide a service to the public first and foremost. The WRC which faced substantial opposition has proved its detractors wrong.
“The Rail Review will be influential and will more than likely impact on the expansion of the WRC northwards from Athenry to Claremorris and beyond which I firmly support. Another project which could be hugely beneficial is a rail connection to Shannon Airport.
“The people of the West deserve public transport just as much as those living in the Greater Dublin Area. That’s why it is vital that as many as possible in the West have their say on a report which will play a significant role in determining the maintenance and expansion of the railways.”
Notes: Rail Review 2016 available at https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016_Rail_Review_Report_Complete_Online.pdf
Heavy Rail Census available at https://fe49d9ec8511d2dc0553-f8f415f79bf5d37d632aa2f721fb6d7c.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Heavy_Rail_Census_2016_Full_Report.pdf
Seán Kyne TD
Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Gaeltachta agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources
TD for Gaillimh Thiar/Maigh Eo Theas – Galway West/Mayo South
Oifigí Dáilcheantair/Constituency Offices:
Bóthar an Spidéil, Maigh Cuilin, Co. na Gaillimhe/Spiddal Road, Moycullen, Co. Galway. J91 TY84
Bohermore, Galway. H91 K8X8
Constituency Offices: 091 868 111
Mobile: 087 613 7372
Web: www.seankyne.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SeanKyneTD
Twitter: @SeanKyneTD
