Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ó Tuathail as ucht a chuid ama a roinnt liom. I welcome the debate on Transport 21 and will focus comment on a number of issues. The Minister of State mentioned that Transport 21 deals with a legacy of neglect. They may not have been his exact words, rather they are mine, but it deals with the lack of investment in previous years. There is no doubt that Transport 21 makes a substantial investment in transport. However, we are just playing catch-up for previous decades of under-investment in our transport infrastructure.

Even with Transport 21, we do not seem to have a joined-up approach in terms of road infrastructure. I could name a number of projects where Transport 21 commits either a 2+1 lane road or a dual carriageway, although we await clarification that 2+1 roads will never again be built in Ireland because they are bad value for money and not the safest roads for transport. I believe they will be consigned to history, but that has not happened yet. We have seen 2+1 roads built in recent years, for example, the Castleblayney bypass.

In a debate on transport a number of months ago the Minister of State said the Government is committed to delivering a dual carriageway from Dublin to Derry. I am aware that in the Northern end of that project where moneys have been invested, the Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister, Mr. Conor Murphy, has gripped the reins and the dual carriageway will be delivered within the estimated timeframe of 2015. What is happening on the Southern end and why are we building a 2+1 lane around Castleblayney? In some parts it is actually a single carriageway road around Castleblayney. Why are we doing this if we will have to roll in the machines again and dig it up?

The Atlantic road corridor is another example of what is happening. Transport 21 commits either a 2+1 or a dual carriageway for the corridor. I have no doubt but that it will be a dual carriageway if it ever happens. Why did we spend tens of millions of euro on bypasses in Ballyshannon and Bundoran, which are not even 2+1 roads, if it will be necessary to rebuild those roads within the timeframe of Transport 21, which has committed to having the road completed within seven years as a built dual carriageway? The Government appears to making up its strategy as it goes along. That said, there has been significant investment in transport infrastructure, which is welcome.

We need, however, to see balance in terms of where money is spent. The west must be given some attention in this regard. The recent study from the Western Development Commission shows that only 2% of commuters in the west travel to work by public transport. Why is this the case? It is because public transport does not exist in the west and investment in rail and buses has not been made. With regard to Donegal, I asked the Minister for Transport, by means of parliamentary question, how much money was spent on public transport for Donegal over the past two years since Transport 21 was announced. The response was that slightly in excess of €500,000 was spent. Considering the estimated €3.2 billion spent on public transport in the State, this is disgraceful and demonstrates the neglect of the west.

A major element missing from Transport 21 is the creation of an all-Ireland rail loop. We should be able to get a train in Sligo and travel all the way to Derry, but the connection does not exist. I raised the need to progress this matter with the Minister in the Chamber a few months ago. I am glad to say that today at the North-South Ministerial Council the two most senior politicians dealing with transport on this island have come together. I know that Mr. Conor Murphy, as Minister for Regional Development with responsibility for transport, has agreed to undertake a study to consider the long-term social, physical and economic redevelopment of railways throughout the north west. When that study is completed, it will deal with the consideration of a study into improved public transport links within Donegal. That is what is needed. We need to see a clear commitment from our Government that it will support investment into rail from Sligo to Derry and allow Mr. Conor Murphy and his Department to assist us in bridging the link from Derry to Donegal.

I am glad to see we have got movement on this. The Minister has instructed the deputy Secretary General of his Department to meet senior officials within Donegal County Council who are promoting the redevelopment of rail transport into Donegal. There is significant potential for this but we need to ensure there is balanced regional development. The best way to do this is to ensure the infrastructure needed is in place.

We must be aware that not everybody lives on the major inter-urban routes. Many people live in rural areas where they have only local roads or secondary national roads. We need investment in these roads also. While significant investment is being made in Transport 21, I urge the Government to look on investment in our infrastructure as key to building a sustainable economy. We should borrow, if necessary, to ensure this is delivered. I do not believe Transport 21 meets the needs of the west and rural Ireland because there are major deficiencies in terms of the north west and rail transport.