Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

6. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to improve suburban rail services in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20769/23]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As part of the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040, there was reference to establishing a Limerick commuter rail service. As an aid to developing the strategy, detailed assessment of rail proposals was undertaken. The assessment identified a programme for a commuter rail network to be developed. It included, in phase 1, stations at both Moyross and Ballysimon and the potential of other stations on the existing rail line that would include Corbally and the Parkway Shopping Centre area of Limerick. Will the Minister outline what steps have been taken to date by his Department or the National Transport Authority to realise this ambition?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Transport Authority published the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy, LSMATS, in December of last year. The strategy was prepared by the NTA in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the co-operation of Iarnród Éireann, and provides a roadmap for sustainable transport in the region for the next 20 years.

Proposals for investment in rail under LSMATS include a new station in Moyross, which I announced last October as a pathfinder project to be delivered within the next three years; a new station at Ballysimon, along with park-and-ride facilities; an increase in the frequency of services on the Ballybrophy line to two trains hourly; an increase in the frequency of services on the Ennis line to three trains hourly; dual tracking of the line from Limerick Junction to Colbert station; and the upgrading of Colbert station.

LSMATS also proposes a detailed feasibility study to determine future investment in rail infrastructure and commuter services in the Limerick area. The proposed study will assess future development in the region, evaluate future demand based on projected increases in population and economic activity and outline medium- to long-term investment in rail. Options around investment in improving existing infrastructure and investment in new infrastructure will be examined in detail, including the reuse of the Foynes and Mungret lines, a future rail line to Shannon and future stations at appropriate locations integrated with high-density transport-orientated development.

The Deputy can be assured that progress is happening on the ground now, as evidenced by the completion of the Ballybrophy track-relaying project last year, the commencement of the Foynes line rehabilitation works this year and the well-advanced plans to upgrade Colbert and Moyross stations' inclusion in the pathfinder programme of projects.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It will come as no surprise to the Minister that I have concerns about LSMATS, particularly when a vital piece of infrastructure such as the northern distributor road is removed from the second iteration of the strategy without consultation and against the wishes of the vast majority of elected members in both Clare and Limerick. It is my understanding that this was done under the Minister's instruction. Under the rail section of that document it commits, as the Minister said, to a new rail station in Moyross that would match the demand for travel in that area. I speak specifically of a station in Moyross and its potential. The people of Moyross have worked really hard in recent years to transform the area. They have campaigned for it no longer to be the cul-de-sac cut off from neighbouring estates that it was for years, and its success was the start of the development of the Coonagh-Knockalisheen road. Moyross and its surrounds are an area prime for development and investment. It is close to the city and perfect for a park-and-ride area. Limerick's main sporting grounds, Thomond Park, and Gaelic grounds are close by, if a train were delivered, and a connection has the potential to open the area to visitors and investors alike. It was in the original Limerick regeneration plan but, unfortunately, was not progressed, so I welcome the Minister's comments on that.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I think a station in Moyross will transform that part of the city. As the Deputy said, it is close to the university and Thomond Park and to an existing community that would really benefit from the connectivity with the city. That has already been improved with the new bus services, which have been hugely popular. I visited Moyross last year and got a real sense that the people there are dying for good public transport. I disagree with the Deputy and think the future of Limerick is about development along the existing rail infrastructure in particular. I think there is huge opportunity with the underutilised rail infrastructure and I think the future is in a metropolitan Limerick rail system. The Shannon region, I think, extends from the Ballybrophy line and Nenagh up to beyond Cloghjordan and Roscrea even. That can be seen as part of the region because many people commute from the likes of Nenagh into Limerick. Similarly, reopening the Shannon-Foynes line has huge benefits for Askeaton and other towns along the way. I think that is the future for Limerick.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You will get a chance to come back in, Minister.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Make no mistake about this: the northern distributor road will be delivered by Sinn Féin in government or anyone else, except Deputy Ryan as Minister. When we talk about suburban railway services in Limerick, we need to factor in all services and people's experiences. The Minister mentioned BusConnects as well. A lot of it is positive. We ourselves made a submission to that. It is to be hoped it will be taken on board. It needs to be safe, reliable and affordable. Unfortunately, the situation around Colbert station in Limerick and Parnell Street in the heart of the city needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. There are huge issues around street drinking, street violence and associated problems with crime and criminality that need a co-ordinated response. The staff in Colbert station do a great job but they cannot solve this on their own. People often tell me they do not feel safe approaching the station or at the train station itself. While we deliver more train services, we need to ensure that taking the train is an enjoyable experience and one that should be safe. That includes inside the station and coming up to the station. I believe that the Minister and I share the same ambition when it comes to improving connectivity across the metropolitan area while simultaneously reducing transport emissions.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy Leddin wishes to come in.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am absolutely shocked by Deputy Quinlivan's insistence that the northern distributor road will be delivered if Sinn Féin is in government.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy Leddin is the only person in Limerick or the mid-west.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It makes an absolute mockery of Sinn Féin's claim to be at all serious on climate or planning. The northern distributor road is absolutely the wrong project for Limerick. The right project for Limerick is laid out in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy. It is incredible investment in rail and bus infrastructure in Limerick and Clare, and I welcome the Minister's comments. I welcome the ambition to deliver a rail link to Shannon airport, reopening the Foynes railway line. We need to be talking about a new railway station at Raheen, particularly. It is not talked about enough. There are 7,000 or 8,000 people working there every day. Those should be priorities. Moyross and Ballysimon have to be priorities. This is what Limerick should be doing and absolutely not the northern distributor road.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The House will not be surprised that I agree with Deputy Leddin. It is an either-or. We could go with a roads-based sprawl development, and Limerick could spread out into Clare on an unsustainable roads development system, which has not worked for Limerick. Limerick should be much bigger. Limerick needs to grow and needs to be much larger, and I believe it can grow around a sustainable transport system. If you try to do both, you will undermine the sustainable option.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The only people saying that are the Minister and Deputy Leddin.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It will not be viable. The housing will not be put in the right places. There will not be this 15-minute city concept, which we need to develop in Limerick, and we will not connect particularly those communities that were left isolated and without public transport systems, often people who could not afford a car. We need to think of them. There is a social justice issue in this. Public transport belongs to and provides for everyone. A car-based development model, which is unsustainable in environmental terms, is also socially regressive. The cities of the world that think in that direction, even Los Angeles, are tearing up the highways and freeways and starting to put in rail-based solutions because they know that is what makes cities work and what makes cities attractive to live in and prosper in, and we want Limerick to prosper.