Speech by Mr. Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport, at the official re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor

Date: 29 March 2010

This is a truly historic day for the West of Ireland. I am delighted to be here today to officially reopen the Western Rail Corridor. For the first time in over 30 years passenger trains will again run between Limerick and Galway. This is the longest section of track to be re-opened in the entire country and it is also the first Inter-City line to be re-opened.

From tomorrow, Iarnród Eireann will be providing 5 services each way daily serving Limerick, Ennis, Athenry and Galway as well as the new stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell.

In addition, another new station will be built at Oranmore.

This will facilitate passengers to travel between Limerick and Galway rather than travelling to Portarlington. I am pleased that all of these stations will be accessible for the mobility impaired.

As you know this is only the first phase of reopening the entire Western Rail Corridor. The next step will be for Iarnród Éireann to undertake a detailed evaluation of Phases 2 and 3 with a view to arriving at precise costs to undertake the works. I know there have been calls for work on these phases to commence immediately. However, we all have to face the reality that the current funding environment is very difficult and it will not be possible to progress all the projects in Transport 21 in accordance with the ambitious timescale envisioned at its launch.

Despite this, I am seeking to progress planning of the Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3, to ensure that we are in a position to move speedily to construction at the earliest possible date once financial circumstances permit. In relation to the final section of the line, it is currently being preserved under the Clár Programme and Iarnród Eireann will look again at its reopening when Phases 2 and 3 are completed.

The Western Rail Corridor is of course only one element of the investment being put in place to enhance public transport infrastructure in the West. In the past decade, over €50 million has been spent on the Galway-Dublin line, €100 million on the Mayo Line and €150 million on the Sligo-Dublin line. Sligo was also the first line, in the entire country, to experience the new Intercity railcars, which have brought greater benefits for passengers to and from the West.

The reopened Western Rail Corridor will complement this investment.

My Department is not only investing in public transport. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of officially opening the new terminal building at Ireland West Airport Knock. All of this investment is addressing the regional imbalance in our infrastructure and economic development and, more importantly, it is promoting balanced development across the whole country.

Some of you here today might recall when I launched the Public Consultation Paper on the National Spatial Strategy in Charlestown back in September 2001; I specifically referred that day to John Healy and his fight for the future of the West. Today I believe John Healy would be pleased to see us re-opening railway lines, such as the Western Rail Corridor, rather than closing them, as we did previously.

I also outlined back then how the National Spatial Strategy was about sustaining economic growth that would ensure an improved quality of life for the people in this country. I believe that the Western Rail Corridor is particularly important as it connects the two Gateways of Limerick and Galway with the Hub of Ennis. Long-term strategic planning is even more important today to ensure that we learn from the lessons of the past. I look forward to your support in the implementation of complementary, sustainable housing and other development in the region, in support of the investment, which is being made in the Western Rail Corridor.

It is also important to emphasise that the implementation of such strategies would greatly enhance the case for the development of Phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor.

One of the top priorities of my Department is to encourage people to switch from private cars to public transport as outlined in my Department’s Smarter Travel strategy. Your support for projects such as the Western Rail Corridor will be crucial in achieving this.

I would like to acknowledge the dedication and vision of the various groups and organisations that have worked over the years to ensure that your vision came true. I would particularly like to pay tribute to the perseverance and achievements of West-on-Track.
I cannot overstate the critical importance of local support for Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor in promoting the development of further phases of the Corridor.

Now that the dream of reopening Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor has been realised, the challenge is to ensure its success.

I will conclude by thanking the Chairman, Chief Executive and staff of Iarnród Éireann together with all of the community and voluntary groups, local authorities, regional assemblies, and other organisations who have made this day possible. I really enjoyed my trip up here today travelling on the Western Rail Corridor and I wish all who follow a safe, pleasant and enjoyable journey.

Thank You.

ENDS