Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The challenge we have is we need to fund investment in both public transport and the road network. Areas where there is no public transport alternative, as Deputy Smyth pointed out, must take precedence within the roads maintenance budget, which is not extensive. Road maintenance will also help bus services, which can be part of the public transport solution.

I am very aware of the lack of co-ordination in the provision of services to allow for the most beneficial use of the Tipperary rail lines. I do not know if Deputy Browne is aware, but earlier during oral questions, we had a debate on the potential for development of rail freight services, which are completely contracted. If that happens, and it is a real strategic possibility, it might help us to make some of the necessary investments, particularly in those lines without significant passenger numbers. In that way, we could improve passenger services at the same time on lines in County Tipperary, for example.

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It seems to me that that is one way of getting economic life back in the towns and counties along those lines.

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