Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Almost two years ago, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, sought submissions for the national rail review. As with many other reports he has sought, he has failed to act on it. Incidentally, why is the Minister never here for the Order of Business to answer questions? Earlier, the Taoiseach said that the Government will not close any lines because it did not do so in the bad times and it will certainly not do it now. However, it has failed to invest in the infrastructure. There is now a serious capacity issue on all of our rail lines. Trains are bursting at the seams. The CEO of Irish Rail came before the transport committee prior to Christmas and indicated that not one new carriage would be supplied to Irish Rail for a minimum of 18 months. When are we going to get real about public transport? The Government has sought submissions. When can we expect to, at a very minimum, debate those submissions? If decisions have to be taken, they need to be taken.

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