Debate contribution: All-island Rail Network

Debate contribution by Miss Áine Murphy on 27 February 2024.

MLA: Miss Áine Murphy
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 27 February 2024
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: All-island Rail Network
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4237777

Text

I take the opportunity to speak on the motion, and I thank those who tabled it. Over the past number of weeks in the Chamber, I have heard a lot about regional imbalance in the north-west. For decades, our local economy in Fermanagh has been stifled due to lack of investment and infrastructure. Tourism is a key economic driver for many businesses in our towns and villages, from Lisnaskea to Enniskillen and Belcoo to Rosslea. With the right type of investment, we could truly unlock their full potential. I am incredibly lucky to have grown up beside the beautiful shores of Lough Erne. I would be delighted for our local tourism economy to grow so that people could experience our beautiful part of the island and see what we have to offer. It is clear that we need to improve our public transport network, particularly in the north-west, in order to unlock economic opportunities and improve connectivity for workers and families. We also need to improve our road infrastructure, and I warmly welcome Minister O'Dowd's announcement last week to deliver the long-awaited A4 Enniskillen bypass. That investment will make a significant impact by cutting down journey times as well as traffic and pollution in Enniskillen's town centre. It will be an economic driver for Enniskillen and, indeed, Fermanagh more generally. There has been much frustration and disappointment in Fermanagh that the draft all-island strategic rail review did not recommend connections for the county. It is the only county for which rail provision is not recommended.
No, not at the minute. Improving public transport in Fermanagh is vital to allow communities and towns in the county to thrive and prosper and to address regional imbalance. We also need to invest in our public transport to help to tackle the climate emergency, as it will have a very important role in tackling emissions and pollution. I appreciate that the Minister will take time to fully consider the all-island rail review, and I am confident that, in developing his departmental plan for the future delivery of rail in the North and across the island, he will look to ensure that the rail service works for and benefits everyone, including the people of Fermanagh.

370 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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