Rail Network
Seanad Éireann — 2026-01-21
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Jerry Buttimer (FG), Cork South-Central

As previously mentioned, there are no active schemes within the greenways programme planned for any section of the disused western rail corridor between Claremorris and Collooney. The all-Ireland strategic rail review sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland on a phased basis up to 2050. Included in these recommendations is the reinstatement of the western rail corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. This project was also identified as a major project to be progressed under the rail project prioritisation strategy published in December of last year. The NDP sectoral investment plan published by my Department in November also includes funding to help commence this reinstatement project. The section between Claremorris and Collooney is not included in the recommendations of the rail review strategy. The rail review will again be reviewed and updated once a decade, taking into account, as I said, the latest policies and developments, which point to potential extension of the western rail corridor further north to Collooney, and can be then reconsidered. I will ask the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, to liaise with the Senator if she has any further questions.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-01-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:31+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-21