Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I too welcome the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to this House. The review recommends the investment of approximately €8.5 million over the next 20 years. This will involve major capital funding in our railways system in a number of areas, from massive renewal through to the expansion of the network and increases in capacity and services. Such improvements are to be welcomed. However, capital investment alone will not deliver the vision of our rail system set out in this report. It is important that certain factors be taken into serious consideration. The national spatial strategy, national regional development guidelines and country development plans will have to be taken into account, as will our transport requirements over the next 20 years.

Contributions to the capital costs of our railways system should be broadened. New and existing commuter lines should be used as the infrastructure to service new and existing housing developments around our cities, and the suburban growth areas identified in various land usage studies carried out to date.

In my own area, the Mid-West Regional Authority sees the rail system as part of the vital infrastructure for the area's future development. The Cork-Limerick-Galway-west line, the Limerick-Shannon Airport-Ennis link, and the Limerick-Ballybrophy line have potential catchment areas to meet the needs of an expanding population growth in certain areas. Balanced regional development would justify inclusion of the railways at this stage, and from reading the report it is obvious that the existing population requires the structured development set out in the national spatial strategy. I ask the Minister for Transport to look ahead to the operational requirements involved in implementing that strategy, so that the strategic functions can deliver full potential. Considering the developments in the Shannon area, it is essential that the railway link there be included.

I agree with Senator Cummins regarding the public-private partnership usage of the freight lines, especially those linking to ports. I urge the Minister to further that proposal. Foynes Harbour too is vital to the west and to Limerick.

Brave decisions will have to be taken at Government level, and I am sure the Minister will look further than the recommendations in this report alone, and to other positive measures that will encourage more brown-field and high-density developments close to our railways, to ensure that the capital investment in our railway system is sustainable. There are many people with a role to play in order that the best usage of our railways can be achieved as part of the transport infrastructure to ensure that the future needs of our economy are satisfied.