Peadar Clohessy
Question:16 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has for improvements to the rail network; and the timescale for implementation. [3761/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rail Network.
Seamus Brennan
Question:188 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his views on a figure of up to £500 million being the amount needed by Iarnród Éireann to ensure safety standards over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3791/95]
Batt O'Keeffe
Question:195 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when the upgrading of the Dublin to Belfast and Cork rail links will be completed. [3594/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 188 and 195 together.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-1999, total investment in the mainline rail network will amount to approximately £275 million over the period of the plan. This investment is comprised of an EU-assisted investment programme of £185 million and a further £90 million of uncofinanced investment from CIE's own resources.
This investment, to be effected under the transport operational programme will be focussed on track renewal — £123 million — modern signalling systems — £27 million — and rolling stock — £125 million. All major lines on the inter-urban mainline railway network are included in the proposed investment under the programme to be undertaken within the period 1994-1999.
The upgrading of the Dublin-Belfast-Cork high speed rail line will be completed by the end of 1996.
Under the Transport Acts, safety on the railway is a matter for the boards and management of CIE and Iarnród Éireann, who assure me that it is and will continue to be afforded the highest priority. Funding for rail safety is a matter for Iarnród Éireann from the resources, including substantial Exchequer funding, available to it.
Clearly the major investments in track renewal, modern signalling and rolling stock under the National Development Plan and the operational programme for transport will have a very significant, positive impact on the quality and standards of service on the mainline rail network. These developments will obviously be of benefit to Iarnród Éireann in meeting its responsibilities in regard to rail safety.
As the Minister is aware of the importance of the national rail network for the growth of our economy, will he accept that it is in poor condition, that rail travellers are regularly subjected to breakdowns and long delays, causing frustration and dissatisfaction with the level of service provided and that, to date, very few Structural Funds appear to have been allocated? Will he agree his reply is disappointing in that it is similar to previous responses which, without the overall allocations being made known, make no specific reference to work undertaken and completed, work at present under way or at contract and about to begin? Will the Minister give the House positive information to raise the hopes of regular rail users that they will soon begin to experience an improvement in the quality of the service, a vital transport system for the country as our economy and particularly tourism, is dependent on an efficient service?
I agree that our rail network is in urgent need of improvement and-or renewal. However, many improvements have already been carried out under the programme I mentioned.For example, work is in progress on the Dublin-Belfast, Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Waterford lines, effecting substantial improvements and carried out with the assistance of the funds to which I referred. In addition, work on upgrading the Tralee-Dublin, Mayo-Dublin, Sligo-Dublin and Rosslare-Dublin lines, with funding from CIE's own resources, is in progress. The lines in which Deputy Molloy has greatest interest, the Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Limerick, are being upgraded with assistance from the European Union Cohesion Fund. It is too early for me to give precise details of the level of investment in these lines but expenditure on them is a mix of European Union funding and resources from within CIE. I am anxious that this work progresses as speedily as possible, I recognise that the lines are overdue for renewal and that the positive impact on customer satisfaction and tourism in general merit early implementation.
Since Deputy Molloy raised the matter in the House, the Minister will be aware of the discomfort of passengers — even this morning the Cork-Dublin train was two hours late.
That is a regular feature.
This has been a very frequent occurrence on this line over the past six months. Is the Minister aware that the new locomotives have contributed enormously to the lack of comfort of passengers on this line? Given that some 475 miles of the Cork-Dublin rail line are comprised of continuously welded line on a timber framework, will he give that line priority in terms of improvement so that passengers with appointments in Dublin will arrive on time? Is it the Minister's intention to speak to CIE management on the major delays at present being experienced on this line?
As a regular user of this line and the facilities provided by Iarnród Éireann, I am aware of those problems, many of which I have been assured are teething ones associated with the ongoing work involved. Obviously, there is huge infrastructural work in upgrading those lines. Deputy O'Keeffe asked if I would afford this line priority. The allocations to the various lines have already been decided, they are primarily the responsibility of the company itself, but evidence of the priority this project is receiving is the fact that, when this work is completed in 1996, £40 million will have been expended on it, in anybody's language, that has to be priority.
While not wanting to alarm the public — which would not be proper — about our rail services——
——and the Harcourt Street line.
Harcourt Street will arise later. Is the Minister aware that there are 1,500 miles of track nationwide, of which 50 per cent is in excess of 50 years old? Independent studies have shown that a sum of £500 million will be required to render that percentage reassuringly safe? Will the Minister consider commissioning and publishing an independent safety study of the 50 year old track, when we might ascertain how we might plan in terms of its financing?
I have no doubt that any study would highlight the neglect of our rail network resulting from inadequate funding on the part of successive Governments, including many in which the Deputy participated. The safety factor is primarily the responsibility of Iarnród Éireann but I have been assured on a number of occasions that, in the circumstances, the company is applying the highest possible safety standards throughout its rail network. Obviously, it is a matter of continuous concern to the company, which is doing everything possible within its available resources to upgrade those lines to the highest possible standard.
Will the Minister consider commissioning an independent safety study of the 50-year old track?
All matters in regard to safety are the responsibility of the company itself, which has continuously addressed that factor. If the company presents me with proposals of any studies it wishes to carry out, I will assess them and make a decision.
The Minister is not the Minister for CIE, he is the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications.
I am disappointed with the work programme outlined by the Minister because it appears that the improvement of the rail network in the west is coming at the end of the line from the point of view of expenditure. Of the total of £275 million to be expended on improvement of the national rail network, will the Minister say whether there is a requirement that such moneys are spent over the period of the plan, or would it be possible for him to ensure that all this work is put in train immediately, having drawn down the appropriate funds?
Can funds be drawn down as soon as work is completed or must a percentage of the work be carried out in each of the succeeding years? When the investment is made and the work completed, will the Minister indicate the reduction in the length of time of the journeys from Sligo-Dublin, Mayo-Westport-Dublin, Galway-Dublin and Cork-Dublin? Accepting the increased safety that will accrue as a result of the investment and improved comfort of new carriages, what other benefit will the rail travelling public derive?
Significant resources are being spent on the Galway-Dublin line. I do not have the precise figures, but I will send them to the Deputy. On the second part of the question, the funds will be spent over the lifetime of the plan.
Is that a requirement?
Yes. Funds will be drawn down on a phased basis over the lifetime of the plan.
Is the Minister certain that all the work cannot proceed?
My understanding is that the work must be conducted on a phased basis over the lifetime of the plan.
What about the time saving factor?
The level of investment on that line should be reflected in a reduction in the journey time. I do not have precise details, but I will send them to the Deputy.
In spite of the investment in the Belfast line, is the Minister aware of the frequency of breakdowns on that line as I know from experience? When consideration is given to the amount of money being spent on road networks, will the Minister agree that the rail service is a Cinderella service? Does he accept that the use of rail is very much related to the cost incentive for people to travel and, if so, has he had an opportunity to voice the concern of southern travellers about the recent increases by Northern Ireland Railways which will have a considerable effect on travel between Dublin-Belfast?
I agree the rail network has been the Cinderella transport service in past years. Major investment is planned for it, but it will not be sufficient to bring it up to an acceptable standard. I agree that the breakdowns on the Dublin-Belfast line have been too frequent. I have been told that the reason is that a certain amount of disruption follows from the level of investment in the line and that matters will improve when the full investment has been made and the work completed. I have taken that matter up with the group and asked customers' views to be taken into account. Delays should be notified to the public in advance in so far as that is practicable to ensure that people with advance knowledge of delays on the track would not make the journey. In many instances delays are expected, but not notified to the rail travelling public. We are concerned about that matter. The investment programme for the rail network is an exciting development, the first time in our history that we have had such investment in the rail network which has been a Cinderella service. I will do everything possible to ensure the investment programme is concluded on time and within the budget to maximise the benefit of the funds available from the European Commission.
Unlike Deputy Batt O'Keeffe's Cork train, it is news when the Sligo train is on time, not when it is late. In view of the failure of the previous Government to secure EU moneys specifically for the Sligo-Dublin line, will the Minister assure the House that upgrading the line in terms of rolling stock, tracks and signalling will be carried out on a similar basis and timescale as work on other lines.
I would like that rail line improved to a satisfactory level. Improvements on the line will be made on the basis of available funds. Unfortunately, the Structural Funds have already been allocated and I do not have the flexibility to divert funds from projects which the Government has already notified the Commission will be undertaken. However, I am conscious and concerned about the inadequate service provided on the Sligo-Dublin line. To that end I have agreed to meet a deputation of representative interests led by Deputy Nealon at an early date to hear their views and consider how I can assist them.
Given that Iarnród Éireann has ten new locomotives, that it will purchase another 20 new locomotives and that it has exacerbated, rather than rectified the problem of meeting schedules, does the Minister intend to carry out a detailed examination of the effectiveness and efficiency of the ten new locomotives before the other 20 are brought into the country?
I am not aware of the technical difficulties and problems associated with those locomotives. I expect that if the company is making an investment and expending money on locomotives it will ensure in advance that they are capable of doing the job and will not give rise to difficulties. I will bring the Deputy's concern to the attention of Iarnród Éireann and ask that the matter be examined. My attention has not been drawn to problems associated with the locomotives.
Problems have been noticed since they were introduced.