Donegal Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn have welcomed the All Island Rail Review, a draft of which was published today.
They have said that the review was further evidence that the government must step up and deliver an action plan with clear timelines to invest in and grow our rail networks.
Deputy Doherty said “I welcome that the review acknowledges the need for rail in the North West. The review recommends rail being returned to Donegal via a route running from the existing Dublin-Belfast line at Portadown, through Omagh, Strabane, and on to Letterkenny and Derry.
“The review is also further proof that successive governments have not only neglected, but dismantled the rail infrastructure in Ireland and specifically in the North West.
“This is also an all-island review and is a departure from the norm, which is very much welcome.
“The government must now consider the recommendations, and commit to an action plan to invest and grow our rail networks.”
He added that this must not become one of the many reports that just sit on a shelf while this current government is in office.
His colleague Deputy Mac Lochlainn added the publication of this long-awaited draft review is a step in the right direction.
He said “However, what we need now is for government to deliver an action plan with clear timelines.
“In particular, we need to see movement on rail infrastructure being brought to the North West.
“A European Commission report ranked the North West 113th out of 200 regions in terms of infrastructure investment – regions outside of Dublin must have proper infrastructure development in order to develop economically.
“The stark findings of a series of reports over the last year have laid bare the growing inequalities between the regions and our small island. An EU parliament report described the region as stuck in a development trap, whereas according to the Northern & Western Regional Assembly, regional inequalities are continuing to rise.
“A thriving North West benefits the whole country and this is why it is such a priority for Sinn Féín. Investment in infrastructure must be the starting point.”
