The new elective hospital at Merlin Park - plans for which were advanced by the outgoing administration - will be prioritised under the new Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Green Government.
This is the view of Fine Gael Galway West TD, Hildegarde Naughton, who was one of her party’s four negotiators in the programme. She said it "contains a long list of commitments that will significantly benefit Galway and the western region".
She said the programme also "guarantees" new radiation oncology facilities in Galway, while the planned replacement of the city’s Community Alcohol Treatment Service has also been confirmed.
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Dep Naughton also welcomed the various transport initiatives in the new programme, including high-speed rail transport between Galway and Dublin, and investment in urban railway, which would include the line from Galway to Oranmore.
"The development of unused and existing rail lines will be prioritised," she said. "A total of 10 per cent of the transport budget under the new Government will be committed to walking and cycling. This will mean funding for Greenways in Galway, including the Galway – Dublin Greenway."
Bus Connects will be prioritised for Galway under the new transport strategy, and the National Transport Authority will be tasked with producing a Park and Ride Implementation Plan for Galway and other cities.
