“Today, I have written to Minister Martin Manseragh, Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW. I understand that a flood alleviation study at Ballycar has been completed by consultants on behalf of the OPW with recommendations including costing for same forwarded to Iarnród Éireann for their consideration.
While this would now seem to be a matter for Iarnród Éireann to resolve, I understand that no progress has been made. This is deeply disturbing. I strongly believe we need movement on this matter before disaster strikes again and the line is forced to close because of flooding. I am asking that an inter-agency approach be adopted between OPW, Dept. of Transport,
Iarnród Éireann and the landowners with a view to resolving this matter.
The historical opening of the Western Rail Corridor in the last month and its reported success, with more than 16,000 passengers using the service in April, is welcome. I am asking that a Minister for State at the Department of Finance with Special responsibility for OPW would intervene in this matter and convene a meeting of all shareholders. This issue cannot
be left on the long finger and must be resolved as soon as possible. Without the necessary work being completed disruption will be caused and the success of this excellent service will be undermined.
The good initial take-up of the route will mean nothing if the service is disrupted for weeks at a time as happened recently. Therefore we must have preemptive rather than reflective action on this matter.”