Western Rail Corridor ‘a half-forgotten daydream’ for government parties, says Lawless

MAYO’s newly-elected Aontú TD Paul Lawless has accused the government of treating the Western Rail Corridor as ‘a half-forgotten daydream’.

Deputy Paul Lawless was commenting after the project to reopen the railway between Athenry and Claremorris was not included as a priority in the Programme for Government.

The draft document says the Government will “work collaboratively to act on the recommendations from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review to improve connectivity across the island of Ireland.”

The document, which is currently being finalised as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael prepare to enter coalition with Independents, contains a commitment to ‘develop additional track capacity, electrification, increased line speeds and new routes to enhance and develop commuter and intercity rail services’.

The All-Island Rail Review published last year recommended the reopening of the railway line between Athenry and Claremorris, but not the full reopening of the Western Rail Corridor as far as Sligo.

Deputy Lawless said the project had been ‘kicked down the track’ by the lack of commitment to reopen the line.

He called for the Western Rail Corridor to be reopened ‘as a matter of urgency’ and to connect new lines to Kiltimagh and Knock Airport.

“This isn’t just about connecting towns; it’s about economic growth, sustainability, and giving the West a fair shot. Successive governments have used this project as a carrot, and now it seems they’ve forgotten about the stick,” said Deputy Lawless.

“We don’t need another review of the Western Rail Corridor, Knock Airport, or the N17 upgrade. We need action. These projects have been reviewed, studied, and discussed ad nauseam. It’s time for the government to deliver, not dither.”