Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was about to propose something along those lines. There is a willingness to try to deal with this and everyone feels every agency could have an input. In fairness to the Office of Public Works, there is frustration and we want clarity on what solution should be put in place. There must be an agreement between all agencies and a decision on who will pay for this. Could each agency make a contribution towards a solution? Why does it have to be one agency above another? This is about County Clare, the west of Ireland and the attractiveness of the mid west. It is about commuters, whether they are working or going to college or school, and tourists. This really takes from County Clare. Every year the railway line is closed for an extended period, which is just not good enough.

The pass the parcel approach that has gone on for the past ten years must stop. Through the former county manager in Clare I proposed some years ago that a working group be set up. When that happened, there was a bit of engagement but it has now been parked. I agree with Deputy Fitzmaurice on calling in the agencies again in six months. They could then have some solution worked out with a recommendation on how it would be funded. I ask each agency to reflect on these deliberations and recognise that a solution must be found. This infrastructure is important and it is just not good enough for it to lie idle for months on end, as occurs far too frequently now.

There is a section of rail line with a speed restriction from Ballybrophy. Is there an intention to try to address that? I advocate the need for a spur from the Limerick-Ennis line to Shannon Airport. I know some work has been done on a proposal for that. It would complement the infrastructure that we have at Shannon. An alternative to that would be a regular commuter bus to bring passengers from the airport to Sixmilebridge station.

Frequency needs to be improved. Adding another service to improve the frequency on the Limerick-Ennis line was also discussed earlier.