Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

With regard to rail, Tullamore has benefited from investment in the railway network under the national development plan by virtue of its location on both the Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Westport intercity rail lines. Combined with the fixed infrastructure renewal work already completed or under way, Transport 21 will provide for 120 intercity rail cars to be deployed on the mainline rail network between now and 2008. This will deliver significant benefits to Tullamore passengers in terms of an increased service frequency and a reduction in journey times on the Galway and Westport routes. Dublin-Galway services will move to an hourly frequency during peak hours and a two-hourly frequency off-peak, while the Westport route will also see frequency improvements in each direction.

Under Transport 21 Tullamore will also benefit from the improved rail connectivity with the west that will result from the development of the western rail corridor under Transport 21. Tullamore to Ennis and Limerick by rail will be possible from the end of 2008 when the Athenry to Ennis section of the western rail corridor is due to be completed under Transport 21.

Transport 21 also includes significant funding for the development of provincial bus services, including the upgrading of regional and local bus services. In addition rural areas of the country can expect to benefit from the decision to put the rural transport initiative on a permanent footing from 2007 and to increase significantly the cash funding for this successful and innovative programme.

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