John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I am delighted to speak on this important issue, Transport 21. However, I am disappointed the plan contains very little for Sligo and the north west. While I welcome the recently opened outer relief road which is of great benefit to Sligo, Transport 21 makes no sound provision for this region. The amount of money available under Transport 21 is €34 billion and it is disappointing the plan does not include a timeframe within which the Claremorris to Collooney section of the western rail corridor will be opened. When one considers this 46 mile track in State ownership cost €193 million, it is disappointing it will be only fenced and cleaned up with no further development planned until, possibly, 2020 despite the level of money being spent on the east coast.

There has been massive growth and development in the region from Charlestown to Tubbercurry, Coolaney and on to Collooney. The land in this area is in State ownership and the necessary works which could be carried out quickly would have an enormous impact on the region. It would certainly open up the Claremorris to Galway route. Much has been said about the road network along the west coast. There are huge opportunities in this area with potential for enormous value for money. More than €1 billion was spent on the Luas project and it is now proposed to develop a metro system in Dublin, which I accept is much needed.

The track from Dublin to Sligo was laid with extraordinary speed. Apparently, continuous welded track can be laid at the rate of one mile per week because of the technology available and in the absence of compulsory purchase issues. The land along the corridor is in State ownership and a large proportion of the costings have been completed so all that is needed is the political will to deliver the route. A line from Galway to Claremorris and Sligo, with a possible extension to the Dublin line, represents a significant opportunity for the west. I hope, therefore, the Minister will reconsider the matter. With regard to the return on the investment, the project will offer a unique and unprecedented opportunity for developing housing along the rail corridor.

I am aware the matter has been politicised and that several Ministers have been looking at the weeds growing along the track. However, the Minister for Transport is in the driving seat and he has €34 billion to spend. A survey conducted by the National Competitiveness Council indicates that 58% of respondents do not believe the rail corridor will be delivered, while a further 21% are uncertain about it. The Minister has been reluctant to reveal costings for projects. Having been on the Committee of Public Accounts for the past two years, I acknowledge that contracts are being more closely supervised and that the capacity for completing projects on time has been greatly improved. However, the Minister is making a mistake by refusing to prioritise the western corridor. The €193 million required to build 46 miles of track is reasonable compared to the money spent on national roads, which can cost as much as €15 million per kilometre when services are included.

A route has been selected for improvements on the N4 at Castlebaldwin. The N50 is a superb road as far as Mullingar but improvements are needed along the short stretch from Castlebaldwin to Drumfin. Drawings and costings have been agreed by the local authority and commencement of work is awaiting the Minister's approval.

The N17, or the Atlantic corridor, has been much discussed. The section of that road from Sligo to Knock is one of the most treacherous roads in the country, with heavy traffic and regular fatalities. The bypass of Knock has been helpful but the stretch from Charlestown to Collooney is narrow and dangerous. The route for the improvement to this section has been selected and agreed with the local authority. It is essential that a bypass is built to Tubercurry.

The N16, which carries cross-Border traffic to and from Enniskillen, and the N15 are extremely dangerous. As the Taoiseach noted last week, all cross-Border roads have been opened. However, I am amazed that the timeframe for work on the N16 was not mentioned in Transport 21.

Transport 21 has largely ignored the N15, the N16 and a considerable portion of the N17. The Minister should recheck his plans in that regard. The worst roads of all are the R294 and the R297 from Ballisadare to Enniscrone. The latter route carries heavy traffic, yet no money has been invested in it. The Government has failed to deliver for the north west. The silence of the six Government Members from the region with regard to Transport 21 is appalling. I would at least have expected Deputy Devins and Senator Scanlon to have intervened vocally on this matter. I urge them, even at this late stage, to use whatever influence they have to make amends.

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