James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Doocey. I heard quite a bit of the earlier contribution on the rail review. It will be quite interesting. As Fianna Fáil transport spokesperson, I suggest that the prospect of utilising the review to link our rail network to that of the UK should be considered strongly. There were strong proposals on Beaufort's Dyke in the Irish Sea. I am aware issues arise there over the dumping of munitions from the Second World War and the dumping of hazardous waste. The infrastructure project is a very significant one, and we should not waste an opportunity to have eventually a direct connection between places such as Edinburgh and Glasgow and the rail network here in Ireland.

My next question is for Mr. Doocey, if that is acceptable to Mr. Spratt. Does the Department feel it is sustainable to continue having a rail network that is divided in that passengers who arrive by train in Heuston from all over the south and east cannot connect directly with Connolly Station? That is a major stumbling block. It does not make a great deal of sense to me if we are to be considering the possibility of having high-speed rail connections. Would it not make sense to have a multi-city system whereby a passenger could get on a train in Cork and go all the way to Belfast directly without having to change or get a Luas across the city? There were plans for an interconnector based on the DART. There has still been no redevelopment despite plans to go back to the drawing board in this regard, but I would not mind hearing the Department's thoughts on having a direct connection between the Heuston and Connolly lines.