James Carroll (Fianna Fail)

In the light of yesterday's budget, I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on commuting. The carbon tax introduced yesterday will only be effective if alternative arrangements are made in densely populated areas such as the one I represent in Drogheda, Laytown, Gormanston and Dundalk. The stick was introduced yesterday of increased petrol and diesel prices for commuters, but unless alternative arrangements are made by Iarnród Éireann, we will not be able to take full advantage of the carbon tax as a catalyst for change. I ask this, mindful of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey's push to encourage more people to cycle to work and use bicycles for various reasons.

During the three-month period following the collapse of the Malahide viaduct between August and November I actively represented commuters as a councillor and will now do so as a new Senator. As such, I am appealing directly to Iarnród Éireann to examine what it is doing, given that it has diminished the service on the Drogheda to Dublin line. People have been forced to get to the station earlier, yet arrive in Dublin later than they used to prior to the collapse of the viaduct, which totally defeats the whole purpose. I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on the matter, if possible, before Christmas, buit, if not, early in the new year. We should invite the Minister for Transport to the Seanad to deal with these issues and ask him to impress these points on senior management in Iarnród Éireann. Most commuters finish work between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., yet there is no express service to take them home in the evenings. Since the service was reintroduced three weeks ago, the train stops at virtually every station, prolonging the journey home for commuters. These simple steps need to be taken if the carbon tax is to be effective.

Following the reopening of the railway line on 16 November, I conducted a survey among commuters, the findings of which which were reported in the Drogheda Independent three weeks ago. I asked commuters whether the previous arrangements were better, worse or no different from the alternative ones when they had to take the bus. Some 70% said it was better to take the bus because they were at least guaranteed a seat, that there were quality of life issues and that they could plan their time, whereas now they have to rush to catch a train, have to park at the station earlier, fight to get a seat and then return home in the evening distressed and hassled. I urge the Leader to deal with this issue. While I welcome the reopening of the railway line, numerous problems have arisen since. I ask management of Iarnród Éireann to take these points on board and the Leader to facilitate a debate with the Minister for Transport as soon as possible.