Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019
8. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the potential reopening of Killucan railway station in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15126/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhat are the views of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, on the potential reopening of Killucan train station in County Westmeath and will he make a statement on the matter?
I thank the Deputy for his question and his interest in this issue. As he is aware the maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I understand local residents have recently met with Iarnród Éireann to discuss the issue in detail. Project Ireland 2040 states the priority funding objective regarding mainline rail is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network so that it continues to provide a safe and reliable infrastructure enabling the provision of quality rail services for passengers across the country. This means ensuring "steady state" levels of investment in our rail infrastructure each year for the foreseeable future. A significant and recurring capital investment of around €200 million is required from the taxpayer every year.
I am pleased to inform Deputy Burke that the funding I have secured under Project Ireland 2040 means we are in a position to provide this "steady state" level of funding. This is significant and welcome progress. It will deliver benefits to passengers across the network, including Westmeath, by allowing for increased levels of investment in things like signalling, ballast cleaning and track relaying. That will improve passenger journey experiences and may lead to better journey times. Another key area of interest for Westmeath rail commuters is the need for increased capacity and services. The National Transport Authority, NTA, and Iarnród Éireann are currently examining how best to source additional rolling stock as efficiently and effectively as possible while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
The NTA and Iarnród Éireann are exploring two options. One is the purchase or lease of second-hand fleet units and the second is the purchase of additional carriages to augment the existing commuter fleet used on the Mullingar line. The Deputy will be aware that the first option is complicated by the different gauge of the Irish rail network compared with international norms. The NTA, however, has recently advertised seeking expressions of interest. It is currently considering the responses received, as well as the second option to purchase additional carriages. I expect a decision on the medium term response to the capacity challenge will be made very shortly.
I welcome additional funding for Iarnród Éireann and acknowledge the line from Sligo to Dublin has significant and serious issues. Mullingar commuters face significant challenges daily. This issue, however, specifically concerns Killucan train station. I was reading back and this issue was first raised in 2001. Much time has passed since then and various groups have brought this matter to the attention of different Ministers and Irish Rail. Deputy Penrose received a reply to a parliamentary question on this matter in 2015. It was stated an assessment was made that it would cost about €1.5 million to make the station operational again. I understand the station was closed in 1963 and signal functionality ended in 2005.
The local community has great interest in this project. It has been frequently raised with me. One critical aspect is a dual line across from the station. It is the only dual line all the way down from Enfield. The train stops roughly eight times a day at that location. Will the Minister agree to meet a delegation from that community? Requests have been sent to the Department over the years. I would also like to know if the Minister will ask Irish Rail if there might be any other avenues of funding that could be explored for regeneration.
I am aware there has been much local activity in Deputy Burke's area. Information from www.delvinvillage.com, a community website, indicates locals have maintained a long-standing campaign to reopen Killucan rail station. The group is Killucan Station Action Group, KSAG. In February 2019, some 50 people attended a meeting in a local pub under the banner of KSAG. I gather it was agreed at that meeting that the next step would be to meet Mr. Jim Meade of Irish Rail and, separately, the chief executive of Westmeath County Council to discuss the matter further. This was facilitated by various Deputies. It would appear KSAG was encouraged by that meeting. The group appears to believe the next step is to ensure Iarnród Éireann and the county council work together in developing a business case and then examining whether funding might be available through the Project Ireland 2040 rural regeneration and development fund. I encourage KSAG to do everything it can to promote this project.
I would be grateful for the Minister's assistance and guidance on this issue. Planning to reopen the station is a significant task for a community to undertake and colossal work has been done so far.
I would also be grateful if the Minister would determine whether funding might be available or permitted under the various rural recreation and development infrastructure funds. The Minister for Community and Rural Development, Deputy Ring, has made a significant investment in Kinnegad of late by providing priming finance to assess a significant project affecting multiple areas throughout the town. There is significant interest in this station among the commuter base in Kinnegad and Killucan and the surrounding area. Many commuters travel approximately 15 km in the wrong direction, to Mullingar or Kinnegad, in order to get a train or bus travelling to Dublin. This would be a huge asset to the community. I would be grateful if the Minister could secure guidance from the Department. I am fully aware that Iarnród Éireann is given a budget and that the CEO of Irish Rail has a duty to put forward projects within that funding. In the decade prior to 2001, 12 stations were reopened, so there is significant precedent for such an action when a business case is put forward.
I was happy to facilitate that meeting with Irish Rail a fortnight ago. It was a cross-party meeting with representatives of the groups in the community. It was very productive. I support my constituency colleague in his request and I seek the support of the Minister because the CEO of Irish Rail reports to him, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. While the CEO has set out a clear platform regarding the next steps - and I have no doubt that the community groups will embrace those next steps - reopening the station is not on any Government or Irish Rail plan at the moment. The initiative would benefit from the Minister's political support. We all know of the importance of trying to get people out of cars and onto public transport. This station is located in a densely populated commuter belt that would benefit from its reopening. It would be most welcome if the Minister were to add his political clout and that of Irish Rail to the project.
I thank both Deputies for their contributions on what is obviously a hot local issue which those in the area will be extremely keen to see promoted. In response to Deputy Burke's request, I am happy to receive a delegation and to look at this issue with it if the Deputy thinks that would be worthwhile. As Deputy Troy stated, such a meeting would be open to all parties and all groups of Deputies, as it should, because it is an issue on which the local community can unite. I would ask to receive a business case before this is done. We are lacking any solid business case at the moment. Although the need for this reopening may be very acute in the area and may be felt by a large number of residents, a business case must also be made if there is to be any possibility or chance of this being progressed. While I do not have any figures, I have already outlined how the priority areas for investment have impacted on the rail network in Westmeath. I have not yet received any proposals in respect of Killucan station, however. Any such proposal would need to be based on a robust business case which complies with the public spending code and would be subject to the availability of funding. As the Deputies can see, our funding is currently fully committed but that would not stop me meeting a delegation comprising interested parties, themselves and other Deputies.
