Transport

I believe that transport is key to the development of the West of Ireland. Living on an island on the west coast of Europe, access to and from our region is of vital importance to the economic and social prosperity of the region.

I am delighted that the new road from Dublin to Galway will open on the 4th January next. I will continue to work to ensure that the difficulties that have arisen in relation to the Galway City Bypass are overcome and that this progresses as speedily as possible. I will also continue to work for the upgrade of the N59 from end to end as well as the development of the new road along the coast from Na Forbacha to Scríb.

I have for many years been an advocate of the use of existing railway lines for the provision of commuter services. I have been very involved in the development of the Western Rail Corridor and am delighted that the section from Ennis to Athenry facilitating train services from Limerick to Galway will reopen in December 2009. In Transport21, there is a firm commitment for the reopening of the Athenry to Tuam section by 2011 and I have been given an undertaking by the Chairman of Iarnród Éireann that the survey work on this section of line will commence immediately after the reopening of the Athenry to Ennis line.

In relation to airport development, I believe that Shannon, Galway and Knock airports have a vital role to play in the development of our region and I will continue to work to ensure that these airports develop so that they can provide ever better services to people of the West.