Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 6

Written Answers. - Developing the West Together Report.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

168 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine the consideration, if any, he has given to the recommendations in the report, Developing the West Together, in so far as they relate to matters for which he and agencies under his control are responsible; and the outcome of that consideration.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

I can assure the Deputy that I have given full consideration to the recommendations in the report to which he refers, in particular to those which come within the areas for which I have responsibility.

The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the valuable contribution that the existing railway network makes to balance regional development. In keeping with the Government's strong commitment to the railway network, the National Development Plan includes provision for an EU assisted investment programme of £185 million on the upgrading of the existing railway network including lines to the West. This will cover expenditure on track renewal, new signalling systems and modern rolling stock.

Last year, the Government approved a proposal which I put to them that an Irish "Essential Air Services" programme, costing £1.5 million per annum, be introduced to guarantee a minimum level of service to the six Irish regional airports. This programme must comply with the procedures applying to access for Community carriers to intra-Community air routes and the next step in the procedure is to seek tenders, through the Official Journal, for the operation of the designated routes by any air carrier entitled to operate scheduled air services within Ireland. The "Call for Tenders" document has just been finalised with the Commission and I expect that tenders for the operation of the services will be invited shortly.

In relation to electricity supply the West will benefit from a cost and competitiveness review of the ESB which I have commissioned. This review will examine how the ESB's operations compare with best international practice, and the appropriateness of their proposed capital investment programme.

As witnessed by the success of Ireland's first wind farm at Bellacorrick, County Mayo, the West is one of the best regions in Europe with potential for wind power development. Accordingly, the region will be in a position to benefit from the alternative energy requirement scheme recently announced by my Department to achieve supplies of up to an additional 75 Megawatts of installed electricity from alternative energy sources before 1977.

My Department is also currently involved in a study part-funded by the European Union, to examine the potential for using natural renewable local resources such as wind, hydro and biomass to provide development in the western region and to create sustainable employment. The study is being undertaken by Údarás na Gaeltachta, Forbairt and Galway County Council, and the first stage, an energy audit of the region, is nearing completion.

Finally, I would point out that Telecom Éireann has a universal service obligation which obliges that company to provide the West with access to the full range of modern telecommunications services available in our cities and towns. In addition, local call areas in Ireland are among the largest in Europe, and new connections are now available much faster than a few years ago.