Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-24
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Martin Kenny (SF), Sligo-Leitrim

We have a serious issue in the north west in regard to transport infrastructure. The issue of infrastructure has been raised by many Members and the Tánaiste has given commitments in regard to critical infrastructure. The western rail corridor is a particularly critical piece of infrastructure for the centres of population from Sligo right down along the western seaboard. It is welcome that the part from Athenry to Claremorris is now going to be developed. Work is progressing on that. However, in the context of the next leg, which goes right the way up to Sligo and past the international airport at Knock, it is being proposed at the moment that a cycleway be put in place. Transport infrastructure is vital. A cycleway is nice to have and nobody has a problem with it if is adjacent to the rail line, but it certainly should not block progress in regard to building a rail corridor which will provide essential transport for people from Sligo all the way down to Galway and further afield. People have to go for cancer treatment to Galway because the cancer services in Sligo were closed down. In fairness, people are saying that they cannot go for treatment on bicycles. They need proper transport, and we need to have a commitment from Government that what I am referring to will be done.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:50+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-24