Cabinet Committees
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-19
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Liam Quaide (SD), Cork East

One of the most important climate measures that could be taken in my constituency of Cork East is the restoration of the Youghal train link. The Taoiseach is well aware of the rail advances under way in the region. We look forward to new stations between Midleton and the city, and ten-minute frequencies of service. Youghal and its hinterland, though, are being entirely left out of that revolution in public transport. This is about carbon emissions, but also about fairness in regional development and Youghal’s potential for prosperity. Residents of Youghal face gruelling commutes to work, college or special schools outside the region. At the same time, the residential and economic development taking off in Midleton and Carrigtwohill is not happening in Youghal at the same pace or on the same scale. This has consequences for housing, jobs, tourism, town centre renewal and the ability of people to live and work locally. Upgrading the N25 is important, but we need a decisive modal shift to rail and light rail in the city to address gridlock, reduce emissions and give Youghal a fair chance to grow sustainably. Will the Taoiseach commit to having more ambition for Youghal in respect of public transport?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-19