It was revealed last week that more than two million tourists visited the Shannon region in 2007, spending €517 million.

The plan—which is investing €34 billion in transport infrastructure over the period 2006 to 2015—is transforming transport links, giving visitors greater options when it comes to travelling between cities and accessing the countryside.

“The Transport 21 package of investment is supporting the tourism industry by making it easier, safer and more pleasant to travel around Ireland. The new N7 Dublin/ Limerick road is on time and on budget for completion in 2010. Already, 87 kilometres of this new road are open to traffic, with the remaining 108 kilometres under construction. The seven kilometre N21 road development, from Castleisland to Abbeyfeale, is open to traffic,” he said.

“The N7 Limerick Tunnel is also currently under construction. This forms part of the Atlantic Corridor, which has already seen the 14 kilometre N18 Ennis bypass open to traffic. A further 22 kilometres of road development—on the N18 from Gort to Crusheen—is at tender stage. These new road developments are transforming how people access Limerick City, and travel throughout counties Limerick and Clare.”

Minister Dempsey said that “rail services in the region are also benefiting very significantly from Transport 21 investment”.

“Work is now underway on phase one of the development of the Western Rail Corridor, from Ennis, County Clare, to Athenry. Trackwork began in October 2007, and the first train services on the line are scheduled to commence in 2009 upon completion of the €106.5 million redevelopment of the Ennis/Athenry line. In addition, new Intercity Railcars entered service on the Dublin/Limerick line this year.”

Transport 21 is also funding new, state-of-the-art, vehicles for Bus Éireann due to be of benefit to a total of 5.2 million customers travelling with Bus Éireann on Limerick City and Expressway services annually, with Bus Éireann operating a fleet of 180 buses in the Limerick area.

“Tourism makes a major contribution to Ireland’s economy. I believe that, by substantially improving our road, rail, bus and regional airport links, Transport 21 will have a positive impact on our tourism industry by making it easier, safer and more pleasant to travel around Ireland,” Minister Dempsey added.

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