THE highest levels of Government were told by Donegal railway campaigners that the county needs a train service.
Minister Seán Canney, who is Minister of State at the Department of Transport, received a presentation in Dublin about cross-border rail.
A spokesperson for the West Ulster Railway (WURI) initiative that travelled to Government buildings said: “A WURI delegation presented highly constructive, deeply researched submissions to highlight the critical necessity of restoring the mainline railway between Letterkenny and Derry City.
“Working in close, positive collaboration with departmental figures, WURI argued strongly for the project to be designated as Critical Infrastructure.”
Liam Mulligan, Rev Canon David Crooks, judge Seán MacBride, Mary Casey, Minister of State Seán Canney, Richard Logue, Charles D Barclay.
As well as a line between Letterkenny and Derry City, the group also wants regional integration, meaning “comprehensive rail connectivity” that links Donegal to Fermanagh and Tyrone and “seamlessly onward to Belfast and Dublin”.
It also has an Atlantic Corridor proposal for a “transformative western expansion from Letterkenny down to Sligo and onwards to Galway”.
LETTERKENNY RAIL ROUTE
The WURI spokesperson said: “Our key ask at this stage is for both governments to fund a joint route study to determine the rail route between Letterkenny and Derry City.”
He added: “Discussions with Minister Canney and his Department officials were intensely focused and productive.
“The proposed infrastructure project is cross-jurisdictional.
“The matter is an ongoing process. WURI has agreed with the minister that the details of their discussions are strictly confidential.
“WURI has formally committed to this confidentiality to protect the integrity of these active negotiations.”
WURI, which was founded in 2001, met Minister Canney recently.
It followed an earlier meeting with the North’s Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins.
The spokesperson described the meeting with Minister Kimmins as “another highly constructive bilateral session”.
He added: “WURI remains highly optimistic regarding strategic North-South developments but will maintain absolute confidentiality until a formal conclusion is reached.”
Among the WURI delegation in Dublin were its chairman Canon David Crookes, secretary Charles D Barclay, judge Seán MacBride, Richard Logue, Mary Farren-Casey, and Liam Mulligan.