West=On=Track -News

Ó Cuív praises Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to Athenry-Tuam rail line

Press Release, Feb 11th 2010 

Government Minister Éamon Ó Cuív TD has today praised Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to re-opening the Athenry to Tuam rail link.

"The CIÉ Chairman has confirmed to me that Iarnród Éireann is undertaking preparatory survey work on the Athenry to Tuam rail line. 

"This is positive progress following assurances I have received already from CIÉ Chairman that the Limerick-Galway railway will open by the end of March and that Iarnród Éireann is planning to shorten journey times on the Galway-Dublin line.

"Survey work on the Athenry-Tuam rail line is part of Iarnród Éireann’s New Works Programme for 2010 which combined with the opening of the new Limerick-Galway inter-city route is a clear signal of Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to rail services in the West.

"I have to praise Iarnród Éireann’s common sense and its commitment to the Athenry-Tuam rail link despite the flippant and reckless commentary from some honourable people in earlier times. In Government I will continue to support Iarnród Éireann’s work to re-open the Western Rail Corridor from Limerick to Claremorris by 2014.

"I am sure that Iarnród Éireann, like the regular listener to AA Roadwatch reports of Tuam Road traffic jams knows that running commuter trains from Tuam to Galway city centre makes obvious sense," added the Minister.