I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise the important matter of container freight services between Sligo and Dublin. Last Friday, the Sligo and north-west region was devastated by the news that Iarnród Éireann had decided to discontinue the provision of container freight services on the Sligo-Dublin railway line. It is incomprehensible how such a decision was made as the spatial strategy designated Sligo as the gateway of the north-west. A railway service to Sligo has existed for over 100 years.
In the past, there has been substantial under-investment in this line. However, both the previous and present Governments have rectified the trend and the first stage of upgrading of the line with the provision of a continuously welded rail track is almost complete. Yet the board of Iarnród Éireann has now made the ludicrous decision to discontinue the provision of a container freight service on the Sligo-Dublin line.
We are witnessing a significant increase in road traffic and a considerable component of that increase is due to lorries carrying containers. Apart from the increased wear and tear on the road surface, the risk of major accidents increases exponentially with such traffic. It does not require a genius to work out that transferring some of this container traffic to rail would result in a substantial saving on road surfaces and would also result in an increased level of road safety.
As a frequent traveller on this railway, I have witnessed at first hand the significant increase in the number of container lorries on the road. This is happening at a time when there is an excellent railway line running alongside the road. This railway line is lying unused for most of the day.
It surely makes sense for some of this road traffic to be transferred to the railway but in its misplaced wisdom, Iarnród Éireann has decided to cease the operation of container freight to Sligo at a time when all over Europe railways are investing in and expanding freight services.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that Iarnród Éireann is incapable of managing its freight service. There is a school of thought that believes the responsibility and development of rail freight should be removed from Iarnród Éireann and set up as a separate business. Railways must be allowed to compete and take some of the traffic back from the roads.
I suggest to the Minister of State that since it is apparent that Iarnród Éireann is unable or unwilling to develop its freight services, open access to a rail network might be considered. Competition is the life blood of commerce and both the Minister, Deputy Brennan, and this Government have demonstrated repeatedly the success of this philosophy. Iarnród Éireann has shown that it wishes to control the monopoly of rail usage but by its actions in depriving the north-west of container services, it seems determined to kill the railways. How can one have faith in this organisation when it decides on such a course of action?
Everyone in Sligo is angry and upset with this decision. Despite Iarnród Éireann's determination to abolish its freight business, the people of the north-west will not allow this to happen. We do not want our region to suffer either commercially or industrially because of the autocratic decisions of Iarnród Éireann. If it is allowed to persevere with this decision, it will make it harder for industry in Sligo to compete on the national stage.
I ask the Minister of State to demand a reversal of the appalling decision by Iarnród Éireann and to investigate the opening up of the railways to competition. I ask the rail regulator to ensure that safeguards are put in place so that no major infrastructure such as freight yards or potential land banks on railway-owned property are disposed of. Container rail freight between Sligo and Dublin must not only be continued but requires further development.