Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this discussion on Transport 21 on its second anniversary. It is significant that for the first time in the history of the State, an overall transport plan has been published by the Government for the period 2006 to 2015 embracing public expenditure of in excess of €34 billion.

We have seen dramatic improvements in recent years in our transport infrastructure as a result of our economic growth and the number of vehicles on the roads multiplying. There has been congestion but anyone travelling in recent years will have seen those improvements.

We must prioritise investment in public transport. I am delighted there is now an hourly service on the Dublin to Cork route. In a full calendar year, this will carry more than 3 million passengers, a remarkable achievement, with the public responding to the improved quality of service and the 67 new railway carriages in place on that route.

I also welcome the Government's commitment to carry out a feasibility study for light rail for Cork, particularly in the context of the review of the Cork area strategic plan that is currently under way. The national spatial strategy designates Cork as a gateway city so I hope the study will start in the near future. The major development that will take place in the city over the next decade under the docklands development plan makes investment in a light rail system in Cork a serious consideration.

I acknowledge the planned re-opening of the Cork to Midleton railway line, which will open up a significant area for major commercial and residential development and improve public transport links to Cork city.

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