Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. There are six train stations in my constituency. Kildare North would generally be regarded as being in the heart of the commuter belt and transport-related matters are a key issue because of the level of congestion both locally and to and from Dublin city centre and other parts of the city. Part of the focus of Transport 21 is an attempt to shift people away from a high dependence on the private car and towards the use of public transport. It is not just a question of providing additional trains, buses, stations and a wider variety of radial and orbital routes, it is about considering how commuters get from their hall doors to their destinations. I can say with certainty that there is total chaos every day of the week at the stations in my constituency. I expect the same is true of most other suburban stations. Not only are cars parked at the stations but they are also in neighbouring housing estates, along footpaths and streets.

It is difficult to conclude that there is anything other than a willingness by the public to use public transport but much more attention needs to be paid to ancillary services around public transport corridors. For example, a greater use of feeder buses is one option that could be considered. While the likelihood of such services making money is remote, if one balances the cost of congestion against the subsidy that would be paid there is a strong argument in favour of such services. The same can be said about the provision of decent well lit footpaths and cycleways.

As the capacity of public transport services increases, the absence of provision of such services around public transport corridors will get worse. Irish Rail is now actively considering charging for parking at train stations. I have heard a tariff of €4 per day mooted. When one considers that a day return ticket can cost €3.60, this would more than double the daily travel cost for some commuters, thus making public transport a most unattractive option. I am well aware that it can be expensive to provide and maintain car parking facilities to a high standard but if one empties the car parks, most cars will converge onto the N4, the N7, the M50 etc. When one considers the issues of inefficiency, congestion both in terms of the cost to individuals and the economy, carbon emissions and the cost of carbon trading and increased accident rates, it is a small cost in the overall context of the provision of public transport.

Maynooth station car park is full before 8 a.m. Many commuters drive from Enfield to Maynooth to get the train. Neighbouring housing estates are filled with commuters' cars and all the on-street parking spaces in the village are taken up, thus leaving no space for shoppers. This puts pressure on the local authority for the provision of off-street parking, which is expensive.

Hazelhatch station, which serves Celbridge, is a mile from the town centre so there is no question of people walking to it. Cars park on the path and cycleway for up to 100 yd. beyond the train station which has a fairly big car park. Sallins station, which serves Naas, is also a distance from the town. I am trying to paint a picture for the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, of what conditions are like at those three stations.

It is intended to charge for parking at the new car park provided at Leixlip Louisa Bridge station. This will make it unattractive for commuters. When cars are parked in neighbouring housing estates it makes it difficult for bins to be collected, people cannot get deliveries and there is a problem with access for emergency vehicles. There is a need to address this serious problem in the overall context of the provision of additional public transport. People are willing to use public transport but it must be considered how people get from their homes to their destinations. I can well understand imposing charges for parking in the city centre as a disincentive to the use of cars but I cannot understand why it would be considered on the outskirts. I believe it will be counterproductive.

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