Waterford Council of Trade Unions Calls For Reopening Of Wexford To Waterford Rail

Waterford Council of Trade Unions (WCTU) calls on Ministers Mary Butler and John Cummins to clarify the incompatible stance by the current Government regarding the Rosslare-Waterford-Limerick route reinstatement.

A WCTU spokesperson said:

“The Government appear to be conflicted regarding their commitment to reopening the Rosslare-Waterford-Limerick train route. The transport hub on the North Quays, due to open next year, has built all the required infrastructure for the reopening but in the latest report concerning rail development, this route is glaringly omitted.

The Waterford-Rosslare railway line was recommended for reopening under the All-Island Rail Review in 2024. However, the Government’s follow-up document, Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy (Dec 2025) does not list this line among short- or medium-term priority projects.

At the same time, improvements to the Waterford-Limerick service, including a passing loop east of Clonmel and plans for a two-hourly service, are actively progressing, with funding and timelines specified.”

The spokesperson goes on to say:

“The Government’s long-term objectives include enhancing regional connectivity, supporting economic development, and promoting sustainable transport. Omitting the Rosslare line from immediate priorities contradicts these stated intentions because reopening it would provide crucial passenger and freight connectivity, linking multiple regions including Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Cork, and Galway, and supporting growth around Rosslare Europort.

Waterford Council of Trade Unions had anticipated improved rail connectivity, and campaigned for the same, but are left with uncertainty regarding timing and investment, which could impact commuter access, freight logistics, along with a failure in local community and economic development.”

This call for response from the Government on this issue comes ahead of South East on Track, who campaigns for the reopening of the Waterford-Wexford rail line, being involved in a public meeting on the future of rail in Wexford this week. The meeting in Wexford Town on September 3rd at 7.30pm in Kinfolk will discuss how to improve the South East’s rail provision.

WCTU has been involved in campaigning for the reopening of the rail line for a number of years, including leading on getting a motion passed on Waterford Council’s Environmental SPC which called for the Minister to open this route, as well as running a poster campaign across the city. WCTU is campaigning alongside South East on Track to develop this route and utilise the infrastructure already in existence for the people of the South East.

The need for rail connectivity across the South East has never been greater. With fines coming from Europe due to our inability to reduce our carbon emissions and increasing climate crises across the globe - investment in rail transport in line with neighbouring counties is an obvious route for climate action.

WCTU awaits details urgently from serving Ministers.

The Waterford Council of Trade Unions (WCTU) is the collective voice of the trade union movement in Waterford made up of local representatives from a variety of trade unions organising in workplaces in Waterford.

South East On Track campaign: https://southeastontrack.com/

Event:  Keep Wexford on Track - Public Meeting on the future of rail in Wexford