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

I note the main issue arising today appears to be the European rail network. In the context of TEN-T, funding is to be provided to develop the ports, rail and road network along the route from Foynes Port to Limerick, Limerick to Dublin and from Cork to Dublin and on to Newry . All of the road and rail networks in the west, from Derry to Galway, which up to 2011 were eligible for this funding, are no longer included. As stated by Deputy O'Donovan, this funding could have been used constructively to develop the rail and road network from Cork to Limerick, Limerick to Galway, Galway to Sligo and Sligo to Derry. Lest people are not aware of it, there is no rail infrastructure along the route to Knock Airport. It has been forgotten about. The proposed route to be developed, as per the map provided, is alarming.

Reference was made to bringing more carriages into Dublin, which is good and everybody welcomes that. However, to make a pound one has to spend a pound. If we do not utilise this funding to develop the rail corridors in the west and to develop the road infrastructure from Castlebar to Dublin, and dissect the country with another road from Derry to the south, this country will not be accessible for businesspeople wishing to locate outside Dublin. We need to ensure this is done. I accept there will be no return from this on day one. There was no return from the gas pipe network from day one. The reward will come down the road as the volume of people doing business here increases. I urge the Minister to rethink this proposal.

I have examined all of the TEN-T proposals for Ireland. In my view, the west has been forgotten about. Does the Minister agree?