93. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Transport whether he intends to develop or reinstate railway services in Donegal; whether any progress has been made in the north west since the publication of the all-island strategic rail review last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52139/25]

Sentiment score: 0.15

It is shocking that in this day and age that there is still no significant investment in regional rail in the north west. People in Inishowen who travel to Letterkenny or Donegal town must travel by bus. I know an 82-year-old man who travels on a bus to Donegal town to see a relative. He is on the bus for the guts of two hours. Many of my constituents do this and are travelling long distances. It is outrageous. The lack of sufficient healthcare is not addressed. There is a lack of transport. There is a litany of neglect in Donegal. Will the Minister commit to ensure Donegal will have a rail service that connects us to the rest of the west, the capital and the North into the future, so that we can give people something to hope for?

Sentiment score: -0.13

Donegal is the only county in the whole of Ireland in which the rail network was removed. We are so far behind that it will take billions of euro to get us up to date. When the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, was Minister for housing, he turned his back to us. I ask him, as Minister for Transport, not to turn his back on Donegal again.

Sentiment score: 0.00

Will the lack of infrastructure investment in Donegal be addressed in any way in the budget next week?

Sentiment score: -0.32