Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We had an unhappy birthday lately in the south east with the 10th anniversary of the closure of the Rosslare to Waterford train route occurring within the past few weeks. This put an end to a rail link that joined towns across south Wexford to Waterford city, as well as supplying heavy rail infrastructure to two major ports, Belview and Rosslare Europort. Since the closure of the line, advocates for its reopening have kept a close eye on the fate of the Barrow Bridge, which is a 650 m span that links County Kilkenny and County Wexford over the River Barrow. A central part of that bridge can open to allow shipping traffic to access New Ross. Keeping the mechanism of that bridge functioning and in good order has always been seen as essential if this line is ever to be brought back into active use.

I was dismayed recently to receive a copy of a letter sent by the National Transport Authority, NTA, to the South-East On Track group. The letter states that the Barrow Bridge is to be maintained in the open position allowing marine traffic to traverse unencumbered, reflecting the fact that as there is no railway service on the line, it is entirely appropriate that right-of-way be given to the marine traffic. On further questioning from the South East On Track group, the NTA confirmed that the agreed arrangements in respect of the closed Waterford to Rosslare line do not include weed spraying or vegetation treatment programmes. This was previously done on an annual basis and so it cannot have been a huge draw on CIE's resources. This sounds to me very much like a plan to abandon the line.

In addition, there have been strong indications from the chief executive officer of Wexford County Council that his preferred use of the rail line is for it to be converted to a greenway. Waterford greenway is the best-in-class exemplar for how a greenway should be designed and delivered. It has been a huge boost for the local economy in Waterford city, Dungarvan and Kilmacthomas. However, I am not of the view that greenways should supplant strategic heavy rail infrastructure, particularly that of this level of importance. I have noted with interest the Minister's recent emphasis on the future importance of rail freight. This is particularly pertinent in the case of the Rosslare line. Taken in its entirety, potentially from Foynes to Rosslare Europort, this line links two tier 2 ports, Rosslare and Belview, and a tier 1 port in Foynes with the major population centres of Waterford, Limerick and Clonmel. This strategic link will only become more important in the context of Brexit, with increased shipping traffic likely to emanate directly from Europe, rather than taking the land bridge route across the UK. Belview and Foynes should be considered in the longer term as sites suitable for the development of offshore wind technology. Both are deep water ports with access to development land and heavy rail infrastructure.

It is also worth noting - I stand open to correction on this - that Rosslare is the only point at which,other than through the Phoenix Park tunnel, the Heuston and Connolly lines converge. In terms of the potential for the line to operate as a commuter service, I have previously been vocal on the need for common-sense timetable changes that will cater to population centres in south Tipperary, allowing residents of Carrick, Clonmel, Tipperary and Cahir to commute either to Waterford or to Limerick for work or study. The same logic applies to south Wexford, with towns like Bridgetown and Wellingtonbridge standing to benefit significantly if their local train line terminated at a newly built integrated transport hub in Waterford city.

I note as well the commitment in the programme for Government to examine the development of national tourism trails linking our ferry ports and rail network. A reopened Rosslare-to-Waterford line would allow for the development of a sail, rail and trail offering, which would allow European tourists, to see our greenway the green way, if I may coin a phrase.

I ask the Minister to review immediately the NTA's new maintenance agreement with Iarnród Éireann and revert it to pre-September 2020 status so the line remains a viable piece of infrastructure, pending further review.

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