Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome the chance to contribute on this important issue. The capital programme shows a marked reduction on previous transport allocations. Much has been delivered in that field in recent years, but we are in a difficult financial position. While they are not of the Government's making, we must make difficult decisions to address the problems facing us. It is welcome that 85% of the funding available under the programme will go towards restoring and maintaining existing road and rail infrastructure and replacing buses and trains.

Where did the money go? For years it was not well spent. To an extent, I agree with Deputy Wallace that some of the money was spent on buying land at exorbitant prices, but who watches the watchers? In a race to the bottom we tried to pursue the most grandiose projects at the grandest costs, but they provided no value for the taxpayer or the country.

Whenever I drive to Dublin and use the eFlow system, I spend €2.70 on the M4 and might drive onto the M50. After examining my bills at one point, I reckoned that I was spending approximately €1,000 a year. It is another tax. Many drivers use the Enfield-Kilcock road because they are not prepared to pay €2.70 each way. For trucks, the charge is €6 or €7. We need to get real. The companies which are making a great deal of money should bring their costs down. Otherwise, people will take to side roads and projects will not be used as much as was intended.

The port tunnel nearly cost €1 billion to build. I have argued long and hard to have the cost for cars using the tunnel to be reduced. It is good that the charge has fallen to €3, but I cannot understand why taxis are charged for using the tunnel. If I take a taxi from Dublin Airport to the city centre, if I do not use the tunnel, the journey takes 15 or 20 minutes longer and costs €25 or €26. If I ask the taxi driver to use the tunnel and pay the €3 charge, I will get into the city ten or 15 minutes sooner and save €6 or €7. Taxis should not be charged for using the tunnel, as doing so is anti the tourism industry and is a poor use of the infrastructure in which we invested so much money.

In terms of road maintenance, it is welcome that the Ballaghaderreen bypass, a shovel-ready project, has received the go-ahead. It will create employment in counties Roscommon and Mayo. It is nice that common sense has been used to approve this necessary project.

The work on the A5 with the Northern Ireland Executive presents a difficulty. We are in a restrictive position, but we made commitments and, if one is coming from County Donegal and the island is viewed as a whole, the project makes sense. Some believe we should not spend the money, but we must live up to our commitments under the Good Friday Agreement. This gesture of goodwill will also represent value for money, as the country needs national infrastructure.

The Galway city bypass project needs to move beyond legal delays. The situation is crazy. In the middle of July I travelled two or three miles in an hour and a half. People elsewhere do not fully realise how bad the traffic is in Galway. The issue needs to be addressed. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is aware of the position, but I did not realise how bad it was until I was sitting in traffic. The project needs to be advanced.

On smarter travel initiatives, the investment in key cycling and walking infrastructure is welcome. The Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal is well used, while the old railway line from Newport in County Mayo is being used by cyclists everyday. We must consider in greater detail how we can link towns and villages along railway lines, canals and rivers using cycling infrastructure. Cycle paths in Holland and Germany are not used by other vehicles. A similar initiative here would help tourism. The existing commitments regarding tourism will be fully honoured, which I welcome. The reduction in VAT and airport tax stimulated the tourism economy. That creates jobs because people spend money when they come into the country. We must try to get people around the country and we have much to offer. The new Ryanair route to Knock Airport will get people to the west. Tourism needs to be spread around the country. When one walks around Temple Bar tonight or tomorrow night, it is evident what the tourism dividend means to this country. Unfortunately, many native people do not seem to apply for jobs in cafés, restaurants and pubs. The jobs pay the minimum wage but there are many opportunities out there. I walk by restaurants and I see signs for waitresses or publicans wanted; there are opportunities.

Connecting the two Luas lines makes very good sense. Going up towards Broombridge, which I know from the Sligo line, there is an area without many houses, which is linked to an industrial area. There are opportunities for those areas.

We have talked about metro north and we would love to see these projects built. We have not used the port tunnel to its maximum value. One can get on a bus at Connolly Station or Busáras and be at the airport in five or ten minutes by using the port tunnel. It is a bit like the Bertie bowl. Croke Park stadium is fantastic, as is the IRFU stadium. I shudder to think what would have happened if we had spent €1 billion on the Bertie bowl because it would not have been filled. Other Deputies have outlined how, when the reigning world champions South Africa were in town a few months ago, the stadium was half full. People cannot afford to attend. I am delighted that the Bertie bowl was not continued.

Infrastructure is vital and I pay tribute to Irish Rail for upgrading its fleet and competing. On the Sligo line, people are voting with their feet and taking the train. The cost of trains is exorbitant. I note that there are safety issues but they need to come up with more innovative ways to get people on the train. If I am in Boyle or Sligo, it would cost €39 or €40 for a return ticket to Dublin. If I drive to Longford, which is in the commuter belt, I can get the train for €10. This is what puts people off. Many people are using the train services but they drive to an area where they can get the train at a cheaper price when travelling to Dublin. We will not have a satisfactory public transport system if the cost of driving a car is less than taking public transport. Infrastructure provides jobs and a competitive economy and I welcome these measures.

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