Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I am here to talk about the need for a better service on the Ballybrophy rail line. The Ballybrophy line in my county which serves the towns of Roscrea, Cloughjordan, Nenagh and Birdhill remains undervalued and has been for years, and it is true that the potential has not been realised. If one wants to open up rural Ireland in a way that means we do not have to rely on our cars then the Minister has to act. One should listen to the North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership for whom this is a very important issue and who have done extensive research into this issue. On local radio recently one of its members pointed out that in 1962 the journey time was one and a half hours. In May 1987, it was an hour and 17 minutes. It now takes two hours. It is crazy to think that it takes longer now, after some 50 years, which is even after work has been carried out on the track. That is unacceptable in this day and age on such a major issue. The partnership is now calling for the following: line speeds to be increased on the sections of the track that have been developed into continuous welded rail; a review to take place on the lifting of existing overall speed restrictions from 50 mph to 60 mph; a service to be provided in the middle of the day to be added in both directions; and the timetable to be reviewed, as stated by Deputy Stanley. We need a proactive approach to be taken by the Minister and also by the rail management. With this in mind I make another call on the Minister to appoint a regional rail manager who would develop the line's potential.

The Ballybrophy line has a level of regional importance that nobody in a position of authority wants to see. The people of Tipperary need to see the Minister share this vision and to recognise what this line has to offer in tourism, third level education, in giving access to industry and as a means to get to work. The group has met with Iarnród Éireann on this matter. Can the Minister now tell me what he will do to show that his green agenda extends to the rail transport in my part of rural Ireland?

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