Dáil debates

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Regional Transport Infrastructure: Motion [Private Members]

 

7:20 pm

Photo of Marian HarkinMarian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this important motion on regional transport infrastructure, which, if delivered, would be an important component in helping to deliver balanced regional development.

It is worth examining where we are right now and the latest figures in regard to roads and road spend. The most recent figures that I have are from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. Between 2008 and 2018, the average national road spend per kilometre in the north and west region was €87,000, in the southern region was €103,000, and in the eastern and midland region was €199,000. Some people might say there are more national roads in the eastern part of the country than, for example, in the rural north west, and that is true, but the figures quoted here are per kilometre. In effect, the amount spent per kilometre in the north and west area is less than half of what is spent per kilometre in the eastern half. That is a shocking difference and clearly shows the huge imbalance in national roads spend per kilometre between the regions. If we look at regional and local roads, there is a gap. It is much less, but there is still a gap. There is a lesser spend per kilometre on regional and local roads in the northern and western region than in the eastern and midlands region. In fact, according to the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, the spend per kilometre is 9% less. There are a lot of figures there but they clearly illustrate the imbalance in spending and it is very significant.

We have all been assured that the national development plan will reverse this trend and, finally, deliver balanced regional development. However, as this motion states, "senior members of Government, up to and including the Taoiseach, have indicated publicly that a number of critical regional infrastructure projects outlined in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 may never be delivered, casting doubt on approximately 30 road projects, while other public transport projects will be delayed". It will, therefore, be extremely difficult to see if the national development plan, NDP, is, in fact, delivering the regional balance. That is why I strongly support the call that there must be clarity, or at least more clarity, around funding and timescales for all projects in the NDP. Without some level of clarity, we will be living on the never-never, as it were, and my huge concern is that this approach may further widen the gap between the regions.

A really important part of this motion is that there will be a rural impact assessment undertaken by all Departments and public bodies in relation to their programmes. We are told that we will have value for money impact assessments and climate impact assessments, and that is perfectly correct, but we also need regional impact assessments if we are genuine about delivering balanced regional development.

Earlier the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, was present. I wanted to raise with her the issue of Sligo Airport. I think this is my sixth time to raise it in the House.

Sligo Airport has no passenger services but operates the busiest search and rescue operation in the State. It has not received a single cent of public money in more than ten years. It needed about €370,000 to fund essential works. That was whittled down to €280,000 and finally to €200,000 but there is still no money on the table. The latest we are told is that it is on the Minister's desk awaiting ministerial approval.

I ask the Minister of State to pass this query on to the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, for a written reply as the delay, at this point, is simply inexcusable.

I thank Sinn Féin for giving us a chance to debate the crucial issue of regional transport infrastructure.

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