Transport Minister Martin Cullen had said the Government is entirely committed to re-opening the closed down Sligo to Ennis rail line. But he was not in a position to say exactly when this will happen.
The Minister made his comments in Castlebar, Co Mayo today.
The 114 mile long disused rail line, known as the Western Corridor, would cost an estimated €350m to re open.
The Transport Minister said he had just received a new report into the viability of re-opening the line and that this had to go to Cabinet for consideration. He said he could not make any formal announcement in advance of this happening, but he believed the project had serious merit and that the line would be re-opened.
The West on Track lobby group, which has been campaigning for the restoration of the rail link, welcomed his announcement.
