Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Transport is aware of Senator Keaveney's sustained efforts to improve transport links in the north west, including Derry. The Minister for Transport will raise the matters she has brought up in this House with the Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland.

However, Transport 21, which is the medium-term investment framework for transport, does not provide for a direct Dublin to Derry rail link. Our resources for rail investment under Transport 21 are focused on the implementation of the railway safety programme, the complete transformation of rolling stock and projects such as the western rail corridor, the Cork-Midleton link, the Navan link, the Kildare route upgrade project and the interconnector in Dublin.

Currently, rail services to Derry are available via Belfast. The Minister for Transport understands this service is being considered by the Northern Ireland authorities in the context of overall plans for the development of Northern Ireland's railways. Both larnród Éireann and Northern Ireland Railways are also working on proposals to improve the Dublin-Belfast service in terms of service frequency and journey times. The North-South Ministerial Council will consider this matter again at its December meeting.

In considering the case for a direct Dublin-Derry rail link, it is important to bear in mind the improvements that have been made in transport links generally to the north west. In recent years major upgrades of roads serving the north west, such as the N2, N4 and N15, have been completed. Substantial support is also being provided for air services between Dublin and Derry and between Dublin and Donegal Airport. These links are supplemented by hourly bus services between Dublin and Derry, including nine daily services each way operated by Bus Éireann. Senators will also be aware of the Government's intention to make available a contribution of £400 million sterling, which amounts to €580 million, to help fund major road projects in Northern Ireland and in particular to upgrade the route serving the north-west gateway to dual carriageway standard. The Northern Ireland Executive has confirmed its acceptance of this funding. At its meeting on 14 September, the North-South Ministerial Council agreed on the management structure for the project and to the early appointment of consultants to enable a route corridor study for the project to commence. The management structure is now in place and arrangements to procure the consultants are proceeding.

Investment under Transport 21 will result in further improvements in the transport infrastructure serving the north west, including the Atlantic road corridor, which will link the Derry-Letterkenny region to Cork and Waterford. In recognition of the need to move quickly ahead with this corridor, the national development plan provided for the acceleration of funding for the N18 Crusheen-Gort and Gort-Oranmore schemes. Both schemes will now commence in 2008. Between them, they will provide a total of about 50 kilometres of high quality dual carriageway, forming an important artery in the west of the country.

Good progress is being made, therefore, in improving transport links with Derry and with the north west generally. This must be taken into account in considering proposals for a direct Dublin-Derry rail link. I thank the Senator for her contribution and will bring her comments to the attention of the Minister.