Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

63. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following the recent European Commission's Regional Competitiveness Index report, where the northern and western region of Ireland was ranked 218th out of 234 regions, if he will commit to improving the northern and western region’s transport infrastructure ranking; if so, how he intends on improving the region's ranking in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18095/24]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In light of the recent European Commission's regional competitiveness index report, where the northern and western region was ranked 218th out of 234 regions, will the Minister commit to improving the transport infrastructure ranking of the northern and western region? If so, how does he intend to do it?

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

I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to improving transport infrastructure throughout the country, but most especially in the northern and western region. That commitment is evidenced by actual delivery of projects on the ground.

The index referred to by the Deputy measures a much wider range of indicators than just infrastructure and, on the basis of the complete index, the region is actually ranked higher. I also note that the road, rail and aviation elements of the index are all based off data collected in 2018 and 2019, which obviously predates this Government.

There has been a significant programme of road improvements across the region since 2020. Since 2021, four significant schemes have opened to the public. These are the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road, the N5 Westport to Turlough road, the N59 Moycullen bypass and the final phase of the N56 Dungloe to Glenties road. In addition to those schemes, construction is under way on the N5 Ballaghadereen to Scramoge road, while the Donegal TEN-T road scheme has reached the preliminary business case stage. I met with some councillors from the region last week to confirm our commitment to these projects.

There is a wide range of other schemes across the region at earlier stages of planning and design. I also note that the road accessibility metric used in the index predates the roll-out of Connecting Ireland, which is supporting new and enhanced public bus services on the road network across the region.

On rail, recent years have seen continued investment in the existing rail network in the region, as well as timetable improvements introduced for the region in the years since the data was collected for the index, including most recently in the new timetable introduced in December. More significantly, this Government launched the first ever all-island strategic rail review, which we just discussed. That has proposals for better rail connectivity in the region. I look forward to bringing the review to the Government shortly.

On aviation, my Department's Regional Airports Programme 2021 to 2025 provides direct capital investment and operational supports to Donegal and Ireland West airports, and public service obligation, PSO, air services between Donegal and Dublin. Under the regional airports programme, since 201, almost €9.44 million has gone to Donegal Airport and more than €39.42 million to Ireland West Airport.

These are only some of the various projects. I believe our national planning framework is correct. We need better balanced regional development, in particular in the north and west.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister says the Government is committed to improving transport infrastructure in the north west. One of the projects he mentions is the N4. That was promised when I was chairperson of the Council for the West back in 1996. If we go back to the NDP in 2000, we see all of these projects promised in it. If we go back to the NDP for 2007 to 2013, all of these projects were also promised. I am talking about the completion of the N17 from Charlestown to Sligo. The Minister mentioned the Donegal TEN-T project. It is still not up and running despite the fact that it was in a national development plan in 2000. We have the upgrade of the Sligo-Dublin rail link and the Galway ring road. All of these projects were included in those plans and we are still hearing promises that the Government is committed to delivering them. However, we are not seeing delivery at the pace that is needed. That is why the European Commission has ranked the region in the bottom 10% across the EU. I do not see an absolute commitment to front-loading these projects and moving them forward. I see the same slow pace. We get a bit here and a bit there, but that is not balanced regional development.

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

First, there was a huge expansion in our capital ambition, in particular in regard to investments in transport for which I have responsibility in the NDP. We got an allocation of €35 billion which I think actually exceeds the allocation for housing. Two Departments were prioritised by the Government. One was housing and the other, on the capital side, was the transport sector. There is €100 billion worth of projects. Even back then there was €100 billion of projects in development and planning. We will not be able to deliver all €100 billion worth in the timeframe of the existing NDP. That is why I think the 30-year horizon that is being taken by the strategic rail review is more effective. We must be honest and say it will take a number of decades.

In terms of actual delivery, most Deputies in this House would recognise that nothing has been as successful as the Connecting Ireland facility in enhancing and supporting public transport in rural Ireland. I go around the country a lot. I have visited every single county and I have talked to councils. They all say that it is has been an incredible success. It has been a game-changer in terms of the capability of rural public transport systems to work and it has demonstrated an incredible public popularity for them.

However, going beyond that, as I said last week, I will take one example of the various projects, the TEN-T project in Donegal. Of all the counties, the one that has been most disadvantaged by a lack of connectivity is Donegal. It stands out in a whole variety of different ways. In that regard-----

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. He can come back in again.

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

-----we are going full steam ahead with the TEN-T projects. They include the road from Lifford to Letterkenny, the Manorcunningham to Letterkenny road and the bypass of Stranorlar and Ballybofey. What I said to the councillors I met last week, who are interested in the project, is that we will do everything to advance that project as fast as we can because it is an example of the projects that we do need to see delivered.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I keep hearing that the Government will do everything in its power to advance these projects as fast as it can. That is what we hear all the time in the region. The Minister tells me about the big pot of money out there that is going to be spent. That is not my question. My question is, where is it being spent? Where is it being delivered?

I agree with the Minister on the rural transport issue. I absolutely agree about Connecting Ireland but I am talking about the big infrastructure projects. What I want to hear is that front-loading will occur for a region that over the past 25 years has been lagging further and further behind when it comes to infrastructure.

The European Commission told us we are in the bottom 10%. There are some very poor regions across Europe. We are not comparing here with regions in Ireland. We are comparing with regions all across Europe. Any Government should be ashamed of that fact when we talk about this being one of the richest countries in Europe. I want to see action, not more promises.

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

I will give the Deputy one example, because she talks about big projects. From memory, the Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge road, not by act of nature, is a single carriageway of approximately 35 km. It is costing the guts of half a billion euro and pretty much a doubling of the previous contract, which, unfortunately, was not able to be concluded because the contractor went out of business. If one were looking for an example of Government commitment to this region, that was a significant investment. It was a significant budget ask but the Government did not flinch in recognising, as the Deputy says, we must promote connectivity in the north west. We had that project at contract stage and we made the decision to proceed. That is one example among many that I could cite.

The real test will come, as I said, in the coming months as regards who agrees with the western rail corridor and this revival of rail freight as one example of a further investment in the north west that we need to make