Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate and support amendment No. 1, which recognises the significant advances that have been made in our transport infrastructure over the past ten years. We are all aware of the historical lack of investment in rolling stock, bus services and infrastructure but the investments made over the past decade have removed many of the obstacles that were in the way of economic growth.

We are at present experiencing a significant recession which is affecting tourism and employment. However, we should continue to invest in transport infrastructure because we can achieve exceptional value for money in the current economic environment and will be in a position to make the best use of our investments when the economy returns to growth. Sustainable growth in Ireland has been impeded by the fact that other countries are ahead of us in terms of infrastructure. The property bubble in large part reflected our zeal to develop infrastructure. Our investments in transport infrastructure have resulted in reduced road journey times and high quality public transport.

The National Roads Authority has worked hard to deliver an inter-urban network, in line with Government policy. Many projects are now being completed on time and within budget. By the end of next year, Dublin will be connected with Cork, Limerick and Galway through a high quality road network. That will be the backbone for our economic recovery. Other examples of the high quality work done by the NRA include the fine bridge which has recently been opened in Waterford and the upgrade of the M50. In my constituency, the N18 Ennis bypass is complete and work is ongoing on the Crusheen-Gort dual carriageway. The next stage of work on the N18 is the connection to Oranmore. This is a critical project in terms of connecting Galway and Limerick and developing the orbital route around the country. The Limerick Shannon tunnel is due to be completed next year. The skills developed by the NRA in recent years are now producing dividends by delivering important projects on time. The enhanced road network has a major impact on the west of Ireland in providing direct access to Shannon Free Zone and Shannon Airport. It provides enhanced and quicker access and increases the catchment area of the airport which also has tourism benefits.

I compliment Deputy Mary O'Rourke who, as Minister for Public Enterprise, commenced the regeneration of the rail network. She deserves great recognition for her work in this regard. The Minister's successors, the late Séamus Brennan and the current Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, have focused on providing funding for the rail network. This additional funding will benefit all citizens and must continue at this difficult time.

Bus and rail services have developed positively, with new buses and rolling stock providing a more comfortable experience for passengers. The new stock is also much more eco-friendly, an important factor in public transport. The reliability and quality of current stock ensures services are more frequent and no longer prone to breaking down.

Some of the benefits of the development of the railways are visible in my constituency where the Ennis to Limerick line re-opened in recent years. Passenger activity on the new service has greatly surpassed expectations and use of the service has delivered tremendous benefits to Ennis town and the people who live and work in it. It also allows people to travel frequently between Ennis and Limerick. The continued investment in phase one of the western rail corridor will be of significant benefit to the entire region extending from Ennis to Galway. As money and time permits, I am sure further extension along the western seaboard will deliver the connectivity required in the region. Under the first phase of the project, a new rail station will open at Sixmilebridge and will provide bus access from and to the airport. I am working with a number of individuals and State agencies to try to ensure a station is opened at Crusheen to give those living in north and east County Clare access to rail services. I hope our efforts will be successful.

As a State provider of transport services, Bus Éireann has delivered good services on commercial and PSO type routes throughout Ireland. The company's investment in new buses and routes under Transport 21 has benefited most citizens. I concur with Deputy Cuffe that the contribution of Fine Gael Party Deputies on the Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 seeks to undermine Bus Éireann. The open tendering they propose would wreck Bus Éireann, have a negative, long-term impact on users of the service and diminish integration in the company's network.

Value for money is a critical component of Government expenditure of hard-earned taxpayers' money. We must ensure guidelines are not breached. I am impressed by some of the independent reports prepared in the CIE group of companies, specifically the Deloitte reports, which clearly demonstrate significant value for money achievements in the companies.

With regard to matters in Irish Rail which, I assume, are the genesis of this debate, I was reassured by the presentation made by the company chairman and chief executive to the Joint Committee on Transport, of which I and Deputy Feighan are members. I will cite a short passage from a document circulated to the joint committee which discussed the investigation. It stated:

...all of the issues that were the subject of this investigation:

- Were identified internally and investigated by Iarnród Éireann

- Were addressed specifically by dealing with three individuals found to have engaged in fraudulent behaviour

- Were advised to the Gardaí by Iarnród Éireann

- Were further investigated following the commissioning of Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon (BTRG) by Iarnród Éireann

- Were addressed by a series of action plans, which commenced prior to the completion of the BTRG report, and were reinforced and supported by the findings of BRTG.

- Continue to be addressed through the implementation of action plans, which is well advanced, and is tracked by the Iarnród Éireann Audit Review Group and the CIÉ Board Audit Committees

While some have sought to make a big issue out of this matter, the malpractices, which no one supports, were identified internally and addressed properly by the management structure in the company. Furthermore, a process is in place to ensure such practices do not recur. The issue must be considered in the context of the massive investment in Iarnród Éireann in recent years. I have every confidence in the ability of the management team and board to deal with any other issues which may arise from time to time. Deputies must stop belittling the good companies which have provided a State service for many years and, by association, damaging their good name and the reputation of thousands of people who work hard on behalf of taxpayers.

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