West=On=Track - News

Galway Green activists propose important motion at their National Convention

Galway Green Party
Tuesday February 24th 2004

The Galway West Greens are putting forward a motion to their impending National Convention in Galway on making the Western Rail Corridor a condition for their party entering Government. According to North and East Ward Green Candidate Kieran Cunnane, this will be a huge endorsement of the campaign for the rail line to be re-opened, which the Greens have been campaigning for over the last five years. Mr. Cunnane explained that the idea was proposed by a party activist at a recent local members meeting. It was greeted very enthusiastically, and unanimously passed in a vote. We will now be lobbying our party in supporting for this motion.

Mr. Cunnane is confident that the motion will be passed. It reflects our party's policy of balanced regional development and comprehensive public transport infrastructure. The recent traffic census shows that Ireland has been going in the wrong direction in relation to public transport; the Western Rail Corridor is one of several initiatives required to buck this trend. The BMW region is only spending about 50% of its infrastructure budget, whereas the Southeast is spending about 150%. This inequality can best be addressed by simply balancing out the NDP funds fairly to pay for the rail project.

Mr. Cunnane says that the train is sitting in the station waiting to take off. This motion could be the catalyst to set off the chain of events required. The Convention takes place from the 12th to 14th March at the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill.