Fine Gael TD for County Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has revealed that active discussions are taking place between Foynes Port management and Iarnrod Éireann on the possibility of reopening the freight train route between Foynes and Limerick City.
“This is an issue that I have been working on since before the General Election and I am delighted to see such positive soundings coming from Iarnrod Éireann,” said Deputy O’Donovan.
“They have recognised that it is worthwhile investigating the possibility of reopening this. If this service was to be re-established, it would be terrific for businesses operating in the region and would also serve as a major attraction to other businesses thinking of setting up in the area.
O’Donovan submitted a Parliamentary Question to Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, enquiring about the possibility of reopening the rail line for freight traffic and this week, Iarnrod Éireann responded on behalf of the Minister. In the response, Iarnrod Éireann Chief Executive Richard Fearn said that while the line between Foynes and Limerick “had not been used for many years, the route could be reopened if there was sufficient traffic to create a good business case to do so.”
Mr Fearn went on to confirm in the letter to Deputy O’Donovan that “active discussions with Foynes port management are ongoing as it is currently believed there will be traffic to justify reopening the route in the foreseeable future.”
Iarnrod Éireann currently provides freight train service directly into commercial ports where there is sufficient volume of traffic for this to operate on a sound business basis. At present regular freight trains operate into Dublin and Waterford Ports.