Individual Post

 SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA and member of the Assembly Infrastructure Committee Justin McNulty has called for a plan to develop rail services across the island following the reopening of Phoenix Park Tunnel which could provide a direct rail service from Belfast to Cork for the first time in generations.

He said: “The reopening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel line offers an opportunity to really think about integrating rail services across the island for the first time in generations.

“This development means that we could now run rail services from Belfast right through to Cork for the first time in over 60 years. Given the particular challenges facing the island in terms of border uncertainty in the wake of Brexit, it’s critical that we commit to connecting people and places across Ireland as effectively as possible.

“Developing better rail links will also drive investment across the island. Transport infrastructure in rural communities particularly is a high level determining factor in investment decisions. The lines that lie abandoned are the manifestation of the government’s dereliction of communities across the North. That must come to an immediate halt.

“Cork has been incredibly successful at attracting investment from global IT firms like Apple, Amazon, IBM and others. Creating better links between Ireland’s second and third largest cities can only be a positive development for our economy. The Executive must begin discussions with the Irish Government immediately.”