1/. 🧵Today @EamonRyan gave the clearest indication yet what the All Island Rail Review may contain. It’s looking very likely the WRC from Athenry-Clairemorris & Waterford-Rosslare will be reopened for rail freight.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions bit.ly/3HhJk2K 2/ Ryan said, “I am glad Deputy Dillon mentioned the reopening of the Foynes line because it is connected to the western rail corridor. We need to think in the long term.”

1/ Mr Keating is absolutely correct here in his analysis. @ShannonFoynes has worked hard to get @IrishRail enganged to reopen the line. 'Shovel-ready' Limerick to Foynes rail line 'essential for development of estuary' limerickleader.ie/news/home/8860… 2/ It's unfortunate that a proper "care & maintenance regime" was never put in place as the line now requires a complete renewal. This is the result of the failure of previous govts since 2001 to allow @IrishRail to abandon rail freight & not encourage it to develop & grow it.

Yesterday via etenders @IrishRail has called for an expression of interest to rebuild 42km mothballed Limerick to Foynes Line which has been mothballed since 2001. The tender closes on 2 Sept irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/P… The tender is for Track & Civils construction to renew & /or rehabilitate existing track & civil engineering infrastructure. The contract will include the installation of sleepers & rail, & also maintenance of bridges, culverts & road infrastructure at public level crossings.

@AlanEnglish9 Colm McCarthys article against rail investment in @TheSundayIndo can't go unchallenged. He keeps getting it wrong when it comes to @IrishRail DART, Luas & other rail projects.
A few facts which @fiannafailparty @FineGael @greenparty_ie may care to note
1/11 1.€150 million, investment in 41 intercity was the first significant capital expenditure in rail infrastructure since 2007 except to maintain and keep the existing network operationally safe. 2/12

So today I’m going to have my first significant long journey on @GWRHelp @HitachiRailEU IEP, on 1204 to Penzance. It will be interesting to see how it performs and how comfortable it is compared to the much loved HSTs particularly in seat comfort & ride quality! So 1st impression, fast acceleration out of Paddington on electric power, in the rear car (obviously) 802110. Ride quality ok, a bit uneven- I’m having the Pullman service...

1/5 @SenatorMcDowell article in @IrishTimes makes interesting reading. He raises the point that road infrastructure is essential for balanced regional development while seemingly dismissing rail. #GE2020 is probably the 1st election where lack of investment in rail is an issue. @SenatorMcDowell @IrishTimes 2/5. This is certainly the case in commuter towns. Investment in the road network is important like the Adare bypass. He rightly calls @greenpartyie a urban force but you can’t dismiss @EamonRyan view on the M20. Targeted investment in bypasses here offers better value...

@Ofcom is it acceptable that @SkyHelpTeam can’t arrange 2 fix my tv service (they also supply my broadband) until 29/12? It broke on fri 1/11 and I reported it immediately. @collettasmith @Chrisitv have you come across issues like this as I’m sure It’s not a unique complaint? @Ofcom just to prove I’m not making it up, they have confirmed my appointment for 29/12! I know virgin media had a reputation for poor customer service. But really @SkyHelpTeam 2 months...have you ever heard of such poor customer service @andrewellson @BBCWatchdog