Fresh calls for Galway-Derry rail link as all-Ireland review held up by lack of Executive

The rail minister said the publication of the review, which has been completed by the consultancy Arup, is being held up by the lack of an Executive.

“The critical next step is the publication of the all-island rail review. It has been delayed, unfortunately, because we do not have an Executive in the North.

"When that arises, hopefully, sooner rather than later, it will provide an opportunity for transformative system change to how we use our rail system,” said Mr. Ryan.

The minister faced cross-partisan calls in the Dáil this week for the reopening of the western rail corridor – in Munster and Connacht – and its extension to Derry.

People Before Profit T.D. Bríd Smith said: "We have to think big for climate and for our future and see the western rail corridor extending beyond Sligo to Letterkenny and on to Derry.

"For all the talk we have about a united Ireland, an attempt at providing the infrastructure on the ground that could join the two jurisdictions in a real way for people via frequent rail services accessing all parts of the nation would be a very concrete...way of demonstrating what a united Ireland could look like.”

Labour T.D. Duncan Smith said: “It would also help unlock a north-western rail corridor that would run from from Sligo up through Co. Donegal, which has no rail service whatsoever, right into Co. Derry.”

John O’Dowd willing to consider Derry-Omagh rail proposal