John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

Like most Members of the House, I met with Iarnród Éireann recently when it gave a presentation and made its officials available to Members to put their case and highlight the issues in their constituencies. I will get directly to the point. The south east, particularly Carlow and Kilkenny, has very poor connections. Regardless of whether one is en route from those locations to Dublin or down to Waterford, not enough times are available. I can get to the Oireachtas at one time but I cannot get home at the time when we might conclude. That is very unreasonable in terms of what we are trying to achieve in the economy and the challenges we face regarding climate action. That people cannot get trains at the appropriate times to suit them is also unfair to those who work in Dublin or along the route of the train service. If we are going to change as a country, there is an opportunity for us to introduce a dynamic rail structure to accommodate the communities that are anxious to use the train rather than the car, and to allow those who do not have a car to commute properly and efficiently to a job, school or college. We have to think of those who are studying or working in Dublin and need that transport timetable to meet their needs.

I wish to raise another issue relating to infrastructure, namely, the fact that the railway stations in Kilkenny and Thomastown need investment. The property held by Iarnród Éireann in Kilkenny city is in a disgraceful condition. People, including tourists, arrive there on the train and see nothing but a derelict building with an asbestos roof, a building that is falling down and a very poorly maintained station. I ask the Minister of State to intervene with Iarnród Éireann and ask it to upgrade the station buildings that are lying derelict. I would like the Minister of State to ask Iarnród Éireann to bring them up to a standard that will meet that of the neighbouring properties such as MacDonagh Junction or the hotel that will be built there. It is not right that a company like Iarnród Éireann would not invest in its property and try to keep the image of the city in which it is located to the standards to which we are accustomed.

I ask the Minister of State to tell Iarnród Éireann to approach the problem at O'Loughlin Road railway bridge and deal with the wall for which it is responsible. It is creating a problem for those who are driving or walking the footpaths. It has gone on for decades. Engineers have visited while the Minister has been down there as well. Iarnród Éireann must take the first step to provide the safety that is required. I am asking the Minister of State to intervene and demand of Iarnród Éireann the action that is required to make that part of O'Loughlin Road railway bridge safe and to provide us with the times to facilitate those who wish to travel on public transport to and from Dublin or the locations along the route.

See this speech in context