Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I wish to share time with Senator Cummins and thank the Minister for coming to the House. He stated here and at the LAMA conference at the weekend, where I raised the issue, that he supported the retention of rail freight. While I welcome his pronouncements, action matters, not words. His view of public transport is very important. As Senator O'Toole said, it cannot be treated simply a matter of straight economics as it includes a social and environmental dimension.

The issue of safety also arises. Recently, I was involved in a traffic accident involving a truck. While I was always aware, in theory, of the damage a truck, as opposed to a car, could do, it was only after the accident that I was really struck by this. If anyone had been in the back of the car, he or she would have been killed. I am now very conscious of the increase in the numbers of trucks on our roads and, having spoken to others, of the feeling of danger they arouse among many drivers, particularly when travelling on single lane roads.

I checked the statistics for road traffic accidents in recent years. They show that the percentage of fatalities in accidents involving trucks is higher than the percentage involving cars. It is essential, therefore, to consider the cost of additional fatalities which would arise following an increase in the number of trucks on our roads caused by the closure of rail freight services. One must also consider the cost to the environment of road congestion and disimprovements in air quality. Increased traffic congestion, which will inevitably result if we proceed with the current course, will also have a detrimental effect on the economy.

It has been said Irish Rail will save millions of euro by reducing freight services. There is another side to this argument. Such a move would also create additional costs because trucks do significant damage to roads. The considerable costs of this damage, which are met by local authorities, are not priced.

Our view of public transport is what matters. If we introduce a good, environmentally friendly and safe public transport system, it will be of great value in terms of quality of life and sustaining the economy in the long term. Although this should have been done already, it is now urgent. Pending the publication of the various reports and plans and the completion of projects, such as Luas, much can be achieved now by investing in existing infrastructure. Significant investment is required, not half-hearted measures. For example, we need to open more train stations and run more buses.

As the Minister will have learned from figures published by the Central Statistics Office, the town of Lucan where I live is the fastest growing in the country, yet it does not have a train station. The train passes through Lucan because the station was closed down. One often hears complaints about our train service. I have travelled to other parts of the country by train and find it easier and much more enjoyable than other forms of transport. It is more convenient and one can read and relax. I would love to have a train service in Lucan. It amazes me that a town of its size does not have one.