Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I tabled this matter because last week on the Order of Business I stated that as a member of a Government party, I was no longer prepared to stand over what is happening on rail services to and from Dublin. I will relate a short story to indicate my annoyance. This morning I had to decide whether to catch an overcrowded train provided by the State three minutes from my doorstep in Castleknock or drive my car into Dublin city centre and park it in a space provided by the taxpayer until the day I die. I had no choice but to take the train because the traffic is gridlocked. When the train arrives in Castleknock from Maynooth, having stopped at Coolmine, Clonsilla and Leixlip, it is so overcrowded that between 60 and 70 people stand in an area of less than 9 sq. m. Crèches operate under a charter and guidelines under which children must be provided with a certain area. However, what charter is in place for commuters?

An additional 400,000 people have joined the workforce since 1997, which is positive. We boast that 77,000 housing units were built last year and a lower figure will be built this year, primarily in the eastern region, which the commuter rail lines from Drogheda, Arklow, Maynooth-Longford and Carlow are trying to service. It is no longer good enough to have to wait for additional services as thousands of extra people join an overcrowded system every year. Ministers are delighted to partake in photocalls on the Luas and the DTO boasts about the fantastic QBC system between Stillorgan and the city centre. However, no Minister has travelled on the suburban rail lines, which transport people to and from work. The conditions are so bad that men are bringing extra shirts with them on the train so that they can change when they get to work. That is not acceptable in a country that is so flush.

I demand that the Government's ten-year plan should be launched immediately and that the Irish Rail five-year strategic plan, which was approved 12 months ago, should see the light of day with an interconnector provided in Dublin so that a decent service can be provided. Every year these plans are delayed, the situation worsens. A scheme comprising 2,000 houses is being built in the Phoenix Park. As part of the planning permission, a train station must be provided. The developer is providing it but how will trains service this station? Irish Rail's strategic plan should not be held up by the Government's ten-year investment plan. The suburban rail system could be linked through an interconnector. People in the regions have been forced out of Dublin to buy houses and they could get to work more easily if it was built.

I travel a mere 20 minutes into the city on the train. However, commuters from as far away as Carlow experience these overcrowded conditions and we hear nothing about it. As a public representative, I cannot stand on a platform and say nothing about what is happening. I intend raising this issue non-stop until I achieve positive action. The Government established a Department with special responsibility for transport. What is happening? Debates in this House are not adequate to address the issue and I have been forced to table an Adjournment debate. However, my anger is nothing compared with the anger of those who commute daily. I only travel by train two or three days a week but many people travel five days a week, 48 to 50 weeks a year. I cannot accept these conditions any longer.