On 31st July 2024 the final report of the 'All-Island Strategic Rail Review' was launched. Despite a public consultation process following the publication of the draft report (published in July 2023), Fermanagh is still excluded from the strategy. It is the only County not to be included. 

This document is about rail development for the period of the next 30+ years.

Without Fermanagh's inclusion in the plans, it will leave the County decades behind in terms of rail development, compared to elsewhere in Northern Ireland and indeed the Republic of Ireland. 

It will put Fermanagh at an economic and social disadvantage. It is unacceptable that a Government document has agreed to this. 

At present the Fermanagh and Omagh Council area has one of the highest proportions of car usage and has suffered from a lack of infrastructure investment in the past. 

We want regionally balanced infrastructure investment. We want Fermanagh to be included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. 

As your DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, I am determined to fight this battle and will continue to raise the case for Fermanagh. 

I am calling on the Minister for Infrastructure John O'Dowd, to do the same and I will be presenting this petition in the Northern Ireland Assembly to make the case for rail in Fermanagh.