Confirmation from Irish Rail that government derailed plans to reopen Western Rail Corridor in full

Following questioning by a number of Senators and TDs, including Sligo’s Nessa Cosgrove, Irish Rail has confirmed that Irish Rail’s ambition to see the Western Rail Corridor had been derailed by Taoiseach and Department of Transport.

Speaking during a hearing in the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Transport Mary Considine, CEO of Irish Rail, confirmed that representations from the Departments of Transport and An Taoiseach had been received prior to their decision to license the building of a greenway until such time as the rail line could be reinstated.

Recalling a public commitment that the disused rail line would be preserved for rail use only, given by Irish Rail just last year, Senator Cosgrove commented: "You gave me very solid confirmation last year that it was to be for rail use only.

"This U-turn which just happened in the last couple of months that to be honest was astounding to everyone. Not just to elected reps like myself but to the huge community, like West on Track who are behind it (the full reopening).

"Can I ask just for a straight answer, was there intervention from the Department of An Taoiseach around this decision to U-Turn”

Answering, the Irish Rail chief executive confirmed that: “There has been discussions with the Department of the Taoiseach and with the Department of Transport on this. I think everybody understands that our longer-term ambition is to have rail there.”

Ms. Considine went on to assert that the conversion to a greenway would preserve the alignment of the track and would not prevent the reopening of a railway in the longer-term.

Pressing for an answer as to the reason for the U-Turn, and pointing out the waste of public money that would be involved in developing a temporary greenway, Senator Cosgrove referred to the confusion surrounding the decision, and who was involved.

“Who were the stakeholders involved? Is it lobby groups?”

The Irish Rail Chief responded: “Ultimately this is a decision for the government. Our priority is that the land remains in State…to reinstate the railway at a future time if the strategy is reviewed to actually include it.

"We would be hopeful that it would be, because we’ve seen growing demand for the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor. The second phase should see very strong demand and then the natural progression will be there.”

The Labour Party Senator referred to the imminence of the reopening of the Athenry-Claremorris stretch as well as pointing out that trains would be on track as far as Claremorris by 2031 with a further National Rail Review, which could see the full reopening recommended, to take place in 2034.

Speaking after the conclusion of the meeting Senator Cosgrove said: “It was clear from today’s interaction that there has been interference with Irish Rail’s business model and direction of travel.

"Mary Considine confirmed to myself and to other members of the committee that the Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Transport were involved in derailing their project to deliver the full reopening of the Western Rail Corridor.

"For months now rumours have been sweeping Leinster House, and the region, that the Taoiseach had intervened in this decision, which will deliver a cycle path rather than a railway to the North West.

"Is this intervention a consequence of a deal done during formation of government talks, involving our three government TDs?

"I have submitted a Freedom of Information request to Irish Rail, asking that they release any details of any documents or communications from these Departments, or from elected members of Dáil Éireann, relating to the decision to reverse Irish Rail’s clear preference that the corridor be preserved for rail use only.

"It will be interesting to see what, if anything, these records reveal about the motivation of Irish Rail in surrendering their ambition.”