Paul Lawless TD spoke in the Dáil: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026: Second Stage

Paul Lawless TD of Castlebar, Co Mayo, spoke in the Dáil on Tuesday as the second stage of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 was debated. The Aontú representative joined other members to discuss amendments that would shape how local development proposals are assessed across the country.

Earlier in the year, on 21 May 2026, Lawless raised a concern about the rail service linking his constituency with Ballina. He asked the Minister for Transport whether the Minister had been made aware of the extended waiting times that passengers experience at Manulla Junction, where the 7:28 a.m. Castlebar‑to‑Ballina train is scheduled to arrive. According to Lawless, the wait can reach up to 70 minutes for those who must transfer to the Athlone service that runs through the junction. The TD questioned the rationale behind the current timetable arrangement, which forces passengers to wait for the Athlone connection before they can continue to Ballina. He asked whether the Minister would request that Irish Rail review this configuration with a view to reducing the delays that affect commuters and other travellers in the region.

The question was recorded in the official Oireachtas debates and reflects a broader concern among residents of Castlebar about the reliability of the rail link to Ballina. The issue has also been noted by local media, with a coverage signal from Midwest Radio mentioning Paul Lawless TD in relation to the matter. For full debate transcripts, see the Oireachtas record.

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