Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

I have a few questions that are directed more towards light rail. I have spoken about the roads. As I mentioned to the witnesses from TII, I would appreciate it if consideration could be given to the installation of at one passing bay between Bandon and Clonakilty, or between Clonakilty and Skibbereen. It would be the first progressive move on our roads in 30 years. I ask TII to look at it. Two passing bays would be better but that is a dream too far. Unfortunately, I am back to the same situation when it comes to light rail. It is very parochial and constituency-related. There is no light rail serving the 140 km from Ardgroom to Cork. It is approximately 137 km from where I live on the Mizen Head Peninsula to Cork. We have no light rail and no sign or hope of having it. I said before that it came to Schull, 3 miles east of me, in 1850. In 2025, we cannot even get a sign of it. There is Connecting Ireland. The witnesses mentioned bringing people home earlier. None of these things apply to thousands of people in west Cork. It has been suggested that a light rail line might be developed between Ballincollig and Mahon, which is a great idea. I am a big believer that the airport should be connected to that type of transport. We will get there. Are there any proposals that Bandon to Cork could be looked at? I brought this up with a lady from Iarnród Éireann a couple of weeks ago; I cannot remember her name. I asked her whether a bus connection is being considered so that we would at least have a direct connection to the train station every morning. It would allow people in these areas to get on a bus that leaves Mizen Head and goes directly to the train station, picking people up along the way, at the earliest possible time in the morning. Some people who might use that bus to catch the train could then travel onwards to Dublin or wherever. At the moment, it would take me a day to travel from my house to Dublin using public transport. That is not feasible. The fastest way to make the journey is to drive, which takes four hours and 45 minutes. Is there any kind of talk along that direction?