Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Transport Infrastructure Ireland stated recently that 70% of people who commute to work use their cars to do so. Sixty percent drive and 10% travel as passengers. There is daily gridlock on the roads leading into Cork city. For example, tens of thousands of motorists use the south link road daily. People from west Cork in my constituency travel daily to Cork city for work. People are spending hours on the road driving, often stuck in traffic on outdated roads starved of proper funding. I would point to the unfinished southern bypass in Bandon and the proposed two-phase relief road on the northern side of Bandon, which if it goes ahead in two phases would be a disaster for Bandon as we go forward. I point to the promised bypass for Innishannon, which was an election promise but it has not been delivered on. While I acknowledge there has been some resurfacing of damage to the N71 road, the main N71, R586 and R585 roads to west Cork desperately need funding to bring them up to an acceptable standard.

The existing public transport services from west Cork are not sufficient to meet the needs of the people. Fares are too high and timetables are not always suitable. While I recognise the Kinsale bus serves the airport, it is difficult for other commuters from west Cork using public transport to access the airport. Accessing the railway station using public transport from west Cork is almost impossible, with many people having to walk from the bus station in Cork to the railway station. Many commuters using the Cork to Dublin train are forced to use their cars to access the railway station due to the lack of suitable public transport, especially from rural regions of the county.

I want to concentrate on a solution. I know there is no hope of getting rail to west Cork but the Taoiseach can ensure something is done. Will the Government consider putting in place a park and ride type service for west Cork as a pilot project? Specifically, a park and ride type service from Clonakilty to Cork city would be of major advantage to workers and others travelling to the city. If such a service was properly run, it could have buses linking from Skibbereen to Mizen Head, from Dunmanway through to Bantry to the Beara and Sheep's Head peninsulas and could also cater for people from Bandon, Innishannon and surrounding areas on its way to Cork.

For every 40 people travelling by public transport to work, 30 cars fewer would be on the road. The reduction in traffic congestion and carbon emissions could be considerable. If fares were competitive, timetables suitable, and wheelchair accessible buses used, with some buses servicing the airport and railway station, this type of service would have the potential to be hugely popular. It would also give financial ease to families who are financially squeezed at this time and who may not require a second car in the home.

Is the Government willing to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to pilot a park and ride system from Clonakilty to Cork city? I am confident it would get backing from the local community in west Cork and, for example, I believe sporting organisations and other community groups would not be found wanting in regard to parking facilities if this service was piloted. This park and ride service could be tendered out by TII. Companies like Bus Éireann, Local Link or private operators could tender for the service, which could become cost-neutral.

See this speech in context