Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. I have said for years that infrastructure is required in rural areas if we intend to retain jobs there. I have listened all day to certain views being put forward here. My view is that when a gas pipe went into Dublin, it might not have been economically viable the day it went in, but they built a city around it which pays back. A Government creates the environment or infrastructure in order that one can create employment, no more than what is going on in Claremorris and in other parts. One must look at the long term. Anyone in business will say one must spend a euro to make a euro.

I would like to know from Iarnród Éireann whether the problem with flooding is being addressed. Obviously, that needs to be addressed. It is four months since the line was closed.

For Iarnród Éireann to tighten up its act, can it put some freight onto passenger trains? Lorries and cars have been perfected. Nearly every machine made has been perfected. Why does one train need to go slower than the other? In other countries, they work both together, which obviously makes it more efficient.

On Foynes port, timber is being brought in raw to Foynes port from Scotland and it is being transported to near my area. I hauled fertiliser out of Athenry train station to Claremorris years ago. We have strategic points, such as Foynes port, which is being developed and which is good. We have different ones, such as Claremorris, Knock Airport and Knock shrine. Can we not talk to the Northern authorities as well? I understand, and I may be corrected if I am wrong, that under TEN-T there is 40% to 60% funding available to do this type of work. We have the Wild Atlantic Way which is a significant amenity and has proven successful. If we are to bring about regional development, can we not take a strategic look, from Donegal to Sligo to Mayo to Galway, which would benefit the people of Roscommon, down to Clare and to Limerick, after which Iarnród Éireann could divert the train on to Waterford? Is there any strategic thinking of where we can go?

On the question of whether it is viable to go, for example, from Claremorris to Sligo, one must look at it in a different way. If we create jobs in an area, that saves the Government money. One might lose a euro here but make two there. That is the way it operates.

I have another point for Iarnród Éireann. There are many companies in all parts of Ireland which do not know the service Iarnród Éireann provides. There is a company near me that makes steel frames for export to Canada and it does not know whether Castlerea would take it. There is not an aggressive marketing campaign to let companies know what is on offer, how we can make ourselves more competitive and how we can export goods. For example, how can one take something from Mayo or Galway, for example, and would it be cheaper to put it on a freight train? What is the cost of a lorry from Donegal to Dublin or Waterford compared with what Iarnród Éireann can do? No one knows because the first thing we think of is the lorry. There is no aggressive marketing campaign to show companies what is on offer, which is the only way one will build business and make it viable. One must fight for the market and go at it aggressively. If that is done, with the benefit of what is being done in Foynes port and the infrastructures through Mayo, like a bowl, if one puts everything into it, it can be made viable.