I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to raise this important issue. I wish to extend my deep sympathy to the Minister for Public Enterprise and her family on the sad death of her husband, Enda.
I welcome the opportunity to speak about the crisis that has already developed in respect of public transport in north County Dublin. I refer here in particular to the rail network. The problem of chronic overcrowding on trains is causing grief, stress and frustration for commuters. At peak periods, commuters, including young children, are being literally squeezed on to trains. Some expectant mothers bring their own seats on to trains. Incidents of people fainting and being removed are regular occurrences on trains, which people refer to as "sardine expresses". This is a scandalous situation and it reflects the lack of commitment of successive Governments to public transport.
The net effect of this problem is that the people of Fingal and commuters on the rail system throughout the greater Dublin area are suffering a deterioration in the quality of their lives and this does not even begin to reflect the implications of the Government's strategic planning guidelines for the area, which are being driven by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. These guidelines propose the construction of an additional 253,000 dwellings in the greater Dublin area between now and 2011. Furthermore, it is proposed that there will be an additional 18,500 dwellings built along the Fingal rail corridor between now and 2006. This does not take into consideration proposed industrial developments in the same area.
Plans to extensively transform the towns of Balbriggan, Lusk, Rush, Donabate, Malahide, Portmarnock and Baldoyle, which are situated adjacent to the rail corridor to which I refer, must take account of the shortcomings in the transportation network, otherwise we will be faced with a planning and social disaster. For example, it is estimated that there will be a fourfold increase in the population of Balbriggan in the next ten years. All current applications in respect of the town refer to sustainable development and an adequate public transport system being available. The position with regard to Lusk and Donabate is similar.
Transportation infrastructure, particularly as it relates to public transport, is a vital component in any consideration of such radical proposals and should also be considered in light of the fact that we are unable to meet our current requirements. I am reliably informed that in 2003 additional carriages will become available and this will bring the number in use up to the maximum which can be used at peak periods. However, this will only provide an additional 2000 places on our trains in 2003. That is the extent of the problem.
There is no evidence that the Government is seriously considering the urgency of the infrastructural needs of north Dublin and ways to address them. An Irish Rail document, Platform for Change, 2000-2016, identified these shortcomings and refers to the need to upgrade the rail network between Connolly Station and Pearse Station. The maximum number of trains are using that corridor at present and no additional trains can use it. I understand that a further three or four tracks need to be provided between Connolly Station and Howth Junction.
I acknowledge that progress has been made. However, unless these matters are given far greater priority in terms of the development programme, we will be faced with a disaster. There will be further congestion on the roads because the public transport system will not be able to cater for the needs of those who will live in the new housing developments to which I refer. We must act now.
The Minister of State will have in his possession a written reply which was provided by his officials. Notwithstanding what it says, I must inform him that, in conjunction with colleagues from my constituency, I have met the people from the area and they brought to my attention the real problems that exist. Further development is required, as a matter or priority. I ask the Minister of State to communicate my views to the Minister.
