Fianna Fail Ireland South Euro Election candidate Kieran Hartley has condemned Minister Leo Varadkar’s threat to close rail lines as “another devastating attack on rural communities by an uncaring Government.”
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar TD has warned that there is no more public money to put into Irish Rail and unless the company can cut costs, then lines would be closed because many services would “no longer be sustainable.”
The threatened move has been strongly criticised by Mr Hartley: “They are already closing Garda Stations and Post Offices and small rural schools also face closure, now they want to cut vital rail links.”
“This is yet another example of an out-of-touch Government which doesn’t care about life in the countryside or in our smaller towns but these areas are the heartbeat of the country and they have to be saved”, declared Mr Hartley.
The Waterford-native added: “If you are being driven around in a State-funded car then you quickly forget what it’s like for people who live in rural areas or small towns, especially the elderly, and are forced to rely on trains and buses.”
He stated: “Fianna Fail will fight these moves with all our power and I can assure the people of Ireland South that when I get to the European Parliament I will be making the case for increased support for public transport, not less.”
