Light Rail Needs Priority

Date Published: 19-Sep-2008

A €200 MILLION spend on the GLUAS transport system for the city should be a far higher priority than a €5 billion outlay on additional light rail networks for Dublin, it was claimed this week.

The Government policy of committing 25 times more capital to transport in Dublin – than what Galway city was looking for – was another example of blatant favouritism towards the eastern and southern regions of Ireland.

North and West MEP, Marian Harkin, said that the justification for spending a further €5bn. on light rail in Dublin had to be questioned, when there was no commitment on the table to commit just a small fraction of that amount for a city like Galway.

“The BMW (Borders, Midlands, West) region, of which Galway is a part, has consistently lagged behind the South and East regions in terms of infrastructural investment under the National Development Plan – this issue has to be addressed,” said MEP Harkin.

She said that in the week when Fianna Fáil met in Galway to discuss future policy and strategy, it would be appropriate if Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, committed to the development of the light rail network for the city.

“This is a necessary investment, if Galway city is to position itself for the future as a vibrant centre of a competitive region in the EU,” said Marian Harkin.

Earlier this month, Galway City councillors gave their unanimous backing for the GLUAS light rail system in the city after hearing a special presentation on the project.

At that meeting, the GLUAS support group, outlined their framework plans for…