Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley has raised the possibility of the Youghal rail link being reopened during a meeting with An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD. Cllr. Linehan Foley raised the subject with the Taoiseach during his recent visit to Midleton. Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Speaking about the meeting, Cllr. Linehan Foley said, “The Taoiseach was in Midleton to hear a presentation about the benefits to the town and the region of the new Midleton rail line and how this piece of infrastructure will lead to more investment and economic opportunities for the area. While he was in town I managed to grab a quick meeting with him to discuss the issue of a rail link to Youghal.” “I explained how the people of Youghal have been campaigning for this line for many years. I outlined how it would be of huge benefit to the town and would help create jobs for the area and bring more economic investment to Youghal.”

“The Taoiseach seemed amenable to the idea of a Youghal rail link. He said that extensions were regularly being added to existing rail lines and that a link to Youghal wasn’t something he had any objections to. He indicated he would look into the subject further and that if the economic conditions allowed it was something that the Government may be prepared to support.”

“Obviously I was delighted to hear that directly from the Taoiseach. Everyone used to use the old Youghal rail link travelling to and from Cork and I see no reason why that wouldn’t be the case if the line was re-established. It would substantially cut down on the number of people driving to and from the city and would also act as a tourism boost to Youghal.”

 

“I will continue to pursue this with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport and I will let the people of Youghal know if I hear any further details on how the Government is viewing this idea,” Cllr. Linehan Foley concluded.