Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development Martin Kenny TD has called on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to rethink his exclusion of the Claremorris to Collooney rail route.

His comments come as the final report of the All Island Rail Review was published today.

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said: 

“First and foremost I want to welcome the publication of this long-awaited report. This comprehensive report is exceptionally important for regional connectivity across the island as a whole. Partition has an ongoing effect on border counties – particularly border regions – and in that regard the collaboration seen during this report must continue to secure the growth of all 32 counties.

“However, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has made a glaring omission from this report by excluding the Claremorris to Collooney route as part of the Western Rail Corridor. 

“This section of the Western Rail Corridor is vital for encouraging the growth of tourism, rural development, and connectivity in the northwest. Given the long-standing campaign by local campaigners, the West on Track group, and public representatives, I am disappointed to see the exclusion of this part of the route once again.

“For decades, the northwest has suffered for the lack of vision by a Dublin-centric government. 

“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil continually ignore the regional imbalance in the northwest, and have once again failed to correct that imbalance with this report.”