The Transport Minister insists that maintaining the exisiting rail network remains a priority.
Shane Ross is commenting a week after a National Rail review highlighted the Ennis to Athenry line as one of the worst in the country, leading to fears about it's future viability.
The Minister has promised that economics alone won't decide the future of the rail network but that the importance of a rail line will be taken into account.
However, the current financial difficulties look to have put the brakes on plans for a rail stop at Crusheen.
When asked about the possibility of adding Crusheen to the Ennis-Athenry line, Minister Shane Ross indicated that this won't be possible.