Western Railway Corridor
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Search complete. 18 mentions across 6 episodes found for "Western Railway Corridor".
Oct 22, 2026
Niall DelaneyHOST
some interesting comments from both on Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Chief Executive of Eireann Rho Dearn, Mary Considine, on the issue of the development of the Sligo Greenway along the route of the Western Rail Corridor between Killuny and Bellaghy.
Niall DelaneyHOST
Both were challenged on the issue, which continues to divide opinion.
Niall DelaneyHOST
Firstly, the matter was raised in the Dáil when Sinn Féin Galway Deputy Louie O'Hara accused the Taoiseach of making a serious miscalculation in his alleged intervention in the Greenway issue.
Niall DelaneyHOST
which led to Ingrid Earne changing its original decision and granting a licence for the Greenway to proceed along the line.
Louie O'HaraSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
development such as the Western Rail Corridor is key to economic growth in the West of Ireland and that is why it is very disappointing to read reports, Taoiseach, that following your intervention, Eireann Rd-Eireann has permitted the development of a greenway on the Killuny to Bellahi section of the rail line.
Louie O'HaraSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
This is extremely short-sighted and puts the integrity of the corridor at risk.
Louie O'HaraSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Once a greenway is put on the line, it will prove very difficult to ever remove it to restore the rail line.
Mary ConsidineSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
I suppose ultimately this is a decision for the government where our priority is that the land remains in state ownership.
Niall DelaneyHOST
And I, I could be wrong, I think you're on opposite ends of, of the argument here, both of you.
Niall DelaneyHOST
Uh, Councillor Cassells, you're firmly in support of the development of the Sligo Greenway along, uh, the route of the Western Rail Corridor between Bellahey and, uh, Collooney.
Marie CasserlyGUEST
Mm-hmm.
Niall DelaneyHOST
You've, you've, you've lobbied for years for that.
Marian HarkinGUEST
He, he didn't speak about the rest of it, and I'd be interested to hear what his views on that are.
Marian HarkinGUEST
Uh, but yes, I mean, since my time, and it's a long time ago, as chair of the Council of the West, I would have supported, um, the, the Western Rail Corridor.
Marian HarkinGUEST
Um, right now I think the, um, the, the main focus is on the N17, uh, for those of us who live a little bit further south, uh, than Letterkenny, but, uh, from, uh, Tuam to Sligo.
Marian HarkinGUEST
Obviously, for those of you who know that road from Tuam, man, it's a top-class road.
Niall DelaneyHOST
We were talking yesterday with a member of Galway County Council, Councillor Peter Feeney, who was the councillor who put forward a motion at a meeting of Galway County Council this week condemning the decision by Eireann O'Darren to allow the new Sligo Greenway to proceed along the route of the Western Rail corridor between Killarney and Ballachie.
Niall DelaneyHOST
And Councillor Feeney, in proposing the motion, said the move was nothing short of deplorable.
Peter FeeneySOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
We're really concerned that this fundamental piece of regional infrastructure, there's a danger of it being lost as a result of this decision.
Peter FeeneySOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
And it's vital that we build the links along the west.
Niall DelaneyHOST
Well, the move by Galway County Council followed a similar motion passed by Mayo County Councillors last week.
Niall DelaneyHOST
They've requested Eireann O'Dearan to rescind the decision to allow the Greenway be developed on the Western Rail Corridor.
Niall DelaneyHOST
And one of the most vociferous contributors at the Mayo Council meeting was our next guest, Councillor Gerry Murray, who's on the line.
Niall DelaneyHOST
Will you outline, first of all, Councillor Murray, where you stand on this issue?
Nessa CosgroveGUEST
So I can imagine that returning population is going to only increase, you know.
Nessa CosgroveGUEST
And I think we're not future... planning for that and I think infrastructure is our biggest downfall I think the train line is too slow from Dublin I think the second line I think the Western Rail corridor is a no brainer that there's going to be and I know there's a lot of contention I think that's around greenways and I think that's like a red herring I think we need to keep pushing on with this rail And I think that it's, you know, if it is going to be extended that rest and rail corridor up as far as Clare Morris, it has to come to Sligo.
Brendan TierneyHOST
Yeah, well, I mean, I would, again, I don't know all the argument, but I would all go, well, can we not have a greenway and a train line? And some might be watching going, Bernie, you haven't a clue what you're talking about.
Brendan TierneyHOST
But I...
8 MINS LATER
Nessa CosgroveGUEST
So I think that'd be, I mean, I don't know if that's going to happen, but like, I think that needs some recognition.
Nessa CosgroveGUEST
But you have to have something to dream for and go.
Nessa CosgroveGUEST
I would love to see the Western Rail corridor extended to Sligo.
Nessa CosgroveGUEST
And I think, like we need and of course the N17 like I'm not anti-road by any stretch of the imagination but I think that if there's options to use public transport people use them like I use the train I use the buses all the time you know and I think if they're there people use them and so I think we have to have that availability you know yeah
Niall DelaneyHOST
Yet more strong reaction from outside the region, as it were, over this decision by Imro Deren to allow for the development of a greenway route along the Western Rail Corridor in South Sligo from Killunie to Balahi.
Niall DelaneyHOST
And this time, reaction of condemnation of the move going ahead from members of Galway County Council.
Niall DelaneyHOST
which is very interesting, is it not? Because, well, we know the decision continues to cause division and debate in County Sligo, but Galway County Council has passed a motion at its meeting this week calling for the reversal of what it terms this deplorable decision.