Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)

I thank the witnesses. I will ask a couple of questions. The Minister said in the Dáil recently - I say "recently", but it could have been a couple of months ago - that there had been a noted policy change in this Government compared to the previous Government with the abandonment of the 2:1 ratio in favour of public transport investment that had primarily been brought in by the former Minister, Eamon Ryan. The Minister basically refused to give a ratio as to how it would be broken down. How will a rebalancing of spending towards, say, roads affect the delivery of public transport and key infrastructure projects? Have the witnesses from the Department any idea as to what ratio the Minister will use and what the breakdown will be between active travel, public transport, roads, etc.?

I also want to ask about rail electrification. It is key to how we decarbonise our transport system. We are the worst in Europe. Only 2% of our heavy rail network is electrified. As regards the DART+ and the new bi-mode battery trains that have been ordered, is the intention to go out to Maynooth and up to Drogheda eventually with overhead line equipment, and if that happens, will that overhead line equipment be at the same 1.5 kV direct current as opposed to the European standard, which is 25 kV alternating current? What will happen in terms of electrifying the wider rail network? I am thinking of key spine routes like Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Belfast. If that happens, will that be done at 25 kV alternating current or the 1.5 kV direct current?

I also want to ask specifically about Limerick and the potential that is there for commuter rail. This is in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy. It is also in the strategic rail review. Limerick is unique because there are four rail lines that intersperse at Colbert Station.

There is huge potential there. The infrastructure is there. It has not been ripped up. In some cases it works quite well with Limerick to Ennis and Limerick to Galway but with other areas, it works less well. There are basic things we are not doing properly like having properly timed trains in the immediate instance between Limerick and Castleconnell and Nenagh and Birdhill.

The previous Government announced plans to establish a network of commuter rail stations around Limerick. Where does that stand? Do we have a timeline? What are the witnesses' views around a rail spur for Shannon Airport. That could be done for around €200 million. The joint Oireachtas group on Shannon Airport made a submission to the NDP calling for this. We believe it is vital for connectivity and balanced regional development.

On BusConnects Limerick, why is it being delayed until 2027? Is there an issue with funding? If so, is it on the capital side or is it around staffing and resources? Can the witnesses confirm that when BusConnects Limerick is introduced that the full network that was announced and went out to public consultation be completely funded to be introduced as intended? Is there a definitive timeline?