Ollie Wilkinson (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to state a few words on this important topic. The rail service was part and parcel of our growing up. In west Waterford, quite close to me, one could set one's clock by the train schedules. We spent many a harvest time loading sugar beet onto the railway. It ran through all of Waterford and was a wonderful service. Time moves on and the amount of money spent on our roads has seen to it that the transport of freight and goods is far cheaper by road. This is a pity.

I speak more from a sentimental point of view than anything else. When the trains were taken off the lines, it did not appear to be such a great loss. However, given our population increase and how things happen now, it would be nice to see them run along the old rail lines again. We must be practical and cost-conscious and things must pay for themselves. It would not be feasible to move by rail much of the freight which is transported by container, lorry and rigid truck. It would have to be handled on many occasions which would add enormously to the cost.

In west Waterford, a big move is on to open the old rail track as a walking line all the way from Dungarvan to Waterford city. It is creating enormous problems for the landowners because the areas adjacent to it and the fencing were left to deteriorate. With the type of world we have today, some of the people who might use it might not have the best of intentions. The idea is very good and I would welcome it if it worked out. However, I clearly understand the serious concerns of the landowners. One must admire the way the bridges, stonework and tracks were put in place at that time. I have seen cases where machinery was used to take away some of the bridges to make way for roadways and further progress, as we call it. Some of the machines had great difficulty in removing what had been built by hand.

That is in the past and we must look at what is happening now. At times when we travel on roads around Ireland we would wish that much of the heavy transport could be removed from our roads, but we must consider the cost factor. Cost dictates. There is no doubt that Ireland is booming, and even in many small areas we have courier services and freight trucking businesses. It is amazing. Although I would like to see a rail freight service provided, I do not believe it would be cost-effective.

Recently in Waterford the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, launched a whole new scheme for transport. There will be many modern buses, transport in Waterford city will be improved dramatically and the frequency of buses and trains will be better. We will have a new rail station and car parking, and there will be a better, more efficient and more frequent train service between Dublin and Waterford. This is all to be welcomed. I will leave issues of freight for a moment and ask if CIE would consider reinstating the bus service that used to go through the centre of Waterford. This might be the time to look at the issue, when facilities in the city are being upgraded.

Public infrastructure is vital and the Government is spending many millions on improving it. One sees what is happening when driving anywhere in Ireland. Over 20 projects are on time and on budget, a concept that would be almost unheard of not so many years ago. That also takes from what a rail service could do.

The rail service is of course a grand way of transferring people and freight. Competition is the key factor and Iarnród Éireann must be cost conscious and consumer friendly. It must also be innovative in the services it supplies. Equally, the Government must continue to invest in public transport, and there is of course a massive role for trains. The movement of freight by train is not an option, however, because of the cost involved.

Environmental studies have clearly pinpointed that our economic success has placed 2.2 million vehicles on our roads. Looking at the estimated increase in population, one must wonder about the future. In time to come there may be a greater role for freight trains. I do not see any change in the short term because of the vast amounts of money being spent on roads.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me to contribute on this subject.

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