The proposal by Irish Rail to reduce by 46% the amount of freight it carries has caused great concern among the staff of the company and the wider public. I raise this matter as an important policy issue. Since the story first broke in the Sunday Independent some weeks ago, many people have raised the matter with me. People can see very clearly that cutting the amount of freight carried by Irish Rail will only add to the increasingly difficult problem of negotiating one's way on the already congested roads of Ireland.
The effect of heavy goods vehicles on our roads can be very negative. I have no doubt this applies right across the country as well as in North Tipperary. Smaller roads are being used as rat runs by heavy goods vehicles seeking short cuts to ports, airports and other destinations. That has a very detrimental effect on the quality of life of people living along those roads. Car drivers are familiar with the difficulties and delays resulting from convoys of heavy goods vehicles on our roads. It also has a dangerous effect on drivers. There are statistics to prove that heavy goods vehicles are involved in the city of Dublin, for example, in a high number of accidents, particularly those involving cyclists.
We have reached the stage where we are anxious to consider not only our transport infrastructure – I refer to roads – but also the different methods of transport we use. The Government has embarked on an ambitious and contentious programme of building interurban routes across the country. However, people are continually inquiring why more money is not being invested in rail transport. I no longer drive my car to Dublin because the level of traffic is so bad that I fear for my health and also because I believe people should do everything possible to ensure that the number of cars on our roads is reduced.
Increasing numbers of people are using the train. They are inquiring why the Government is standing over a decision by Irish Rail to reduce the amount of freight it carries by 46%, which will lead to an increase in the number of heavy goods vehicles using our roads. There is also the issue of pollution. There is no doubt that the level of air pollution is being increased by the preponderance of heavy goods vehicles on our roads. There are also health and road safety issues involved.
I understand from contacts I have had with the Department that, to quote the Minister, this decision is not "a done deal". I appeal to her to reconsider the proposal by the board of Irish Rail, particularly in the context of the need for greater investment in rail. I live in Nenagh and the number of people who commute from the town to Limerick each day is increasing. The level of traffic and the increase in congestion is causing major difficulties. The Ballybrophy rail line runs from Nenagh to Limerick, but the people in the area believe that if a decent line was put in place, it would improve the situation from the point of view of commuting. It would also have a benefit from the point of view of protecting the environment and people's health and promoting sustainable development. Unfortunately, however, action has not been taken in this regard.
There has been some discussion about the need to extend the rail line to Shannon Airport. That would be a fabulous development and it would have a tremendous effect in terms of boosting the tourism of the towns, including Nenagh, Roscrea, Cloghjordan, Birdhill and others, which are located on the line leading into Limerick.
In my opinion, it is a short-sighted approach on the part of the Government to, on one hand, invest billions in building motorways while, on the other, drip-feed funds into rail infrastructure. What the Government is doing also runs contrary to EU policy and philosophy in respect of this matter. I have no doubt that the time is fast approaching when we will be forced to change our policy on investing in rail infrastructure. We will also be obliged to see infrastructure for what it is, namely, part of the social and economic fabric of our society and a necessary tool in ensuring that our economy runs smoothly.
I appeal to the Minister of State to respond positively to the points I have raised. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter.
