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01 Oct 2025
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01 Oct 2025
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Deputy Charles Ward asked Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien to not turn his back on Donegal
There has been a “litany of neglect in Donegal” regarding investment in transport, particularly the lack of a railway service for the county.
Donegal Deputy Charles Ward criticised Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, during Parliamentary Questions on Tuesday evening.
Deputy Ward, of the 100% Redress Party, told Minister O’Brien: “You turned your back on us as Housing Minister, don’t turn your back on us as Transport Minister too.”
The Donegal Deputy asked the Minister to outline whether he intends to develop or reinstate railway services in Donegal, and to outline whether any progress has been made in the Northwest since the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review last year.
Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer, said: “The review’s recommendations for county Donegal involve the development of a new light rail line from Letterkenny to Derry, which connects with a new proposed rail link, linking Derry to Portadown.”
Deputy Ward claimed that this wasn’t good enough and that it was shocking in this day and age that there is no significant investment in the Northwest when it comes to regional rail.
“There is a litany of neglect in Donegal,” said Deputy Ward. He asked the Minister: “Will you commit to ensuring that Donegal will have a rail service that connects us to the rest of the West, the capital, and the North, in the future so that we can give the people something to hope for?”
Minister Buttimer replied: “Government are prioritising connectivity in Donegal and the proof is in the new and enhanced bus services, but I do take the point that Deputy Ward made in terms of the need for further investment.”
The 100% Redress Party TD went on to accuse the Minister for Transport of turning his back on Donegal.
“Donegal is the only county in the whole of Ireland that removed their rail network, we are so far behind now, that it’s going to take billions to get us up to date,” said Deputy Ward. “Will the lack of infrastructure be addressed in any way in the budget next week?”
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In response, Minister Buttimer denied that the government turned its back on Donegal and reiterated that they are investing in Donegal.
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