Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2004
9 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department is making a submission to the group considering the re-opening of the western rail corridor; and his views on such a proposal. [16838/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have already conveyed my views on the reopening of the western rail corridor to my colleague, the Minister for Transport. As the Deputy will recall, the Minister for Transport announced the formation of an expert working group to examine in detail the potential for developing the western rail corridor. The group is composed of representatives of a wide range of organisations with an interest in this development, including county councils, regional authorities, county development boards, the Western Development Commission, Irish Rail, the Railway Procurement Agency, the Department of Transport, West on Track and the inter-county rail committee and is chaired by Mr. Pat McCann, chief executive of the Jury's Doyle Hotel Group. I understand that the first meeting of the group will be held in Galway in the coming weeks.
I have made no secret of my desire to see the corridor re-opened. In the short term, I believe that sections of the corridor should be re-opened to provide commuter services between cities and towns. I will continue to liaise with the Minister for Transport to progress this project.
I am glad to hear the Minister supports the project. Beyond communicating with the Minister for Transport, I ask the Minister to consider a formal submission by his Department to the group in question. It would carry added weight and give the impression that an active debate is occurring within Government on the feasibility and necessity of undertaking the project.
Is the Minister aware of concerns about the delaying of decisions on the rural transport scheme into July? Many rural development groups fear the decisions will be negative. Does the Minister have an opinion on the matter and is he in a position to ensure that positive decisions are made soon?
Long before I became Minister, I was in constant contact with the inter-county rail group on the western rail corridor. I compliment the people involved, particularly Fr. Michéal MacGréil who credits the famous singer Boxcar Willie with the preservation of the rail line. The singer was in Castlebar when the group was established and he said the most important thing was to preserve the line. Thanks be to God, that happened. We are now moving to a new phase. I am not one for making extensive submissions as I would rather work dynamically. I would prefer to work with my colleagues while leaving room for debate, manoeuvre and the forward movement we would all like to see. The Western Development Commission is already represented on the group. The best thing for me to do is remain in day-to-day contact with my ministerial colleague who has been very supportive of the project.
Deputy Boyle asked an unrelated question about rural transport. The importance of rural transport goes far beyond the confines of the rural transport initiative. I am directly responsible for some rural transport services, particularly those to the islands. In consultation with colleagues, I will continue to seek to get the best results in terms of expenditure on rural transport. Rural areas have not received their fair share of State expenditure on transport. I have said time and again that it is easier and cheaper to provide rural transport services than urban transport services. I do not agree with the popular theory that it is cheap to provide transport in a city. It is chaotically dear and in the end cities become completely car dependent which is something we do not want.
