Ireland: expanding the railway network is not a priority

The Irish Transport Ministry’s priority for funding heavy rail is to protect the operational network and to maintain safety standards rather than to expand the network, Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has said. The Irish Government will not be going ahead with further development of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Tuam. The next phase of the corridor, the 25km section linking Athenry to Tuam, has an estimated cost of €58 million. However, the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor – the Limerick to Galway line – would be maintained, Paschal Donohoe said. The Limerick-Galway line has been operational for almost five years and cost €105 million to build.