Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to arrange, at an early date, for a debate on rail transport following the recent publication of the AECOM Goodbody Strategic Rail Investments Needs Review commissioned by Iarnród Éireann. The report recommends that sections of the rail network, including the Dublin-Cork and Galway-Dublin routes, be electrified, resulting in cheaper running costs, and that a hub station be developed near the M50 in Dublin. The projects would give much needed employment and increase the use of the rail network and make travel more affordable.

The report also states that €150 million per year should be spent maintaining the network and €250 million should be spent reducing journey times for all intercity services by at least 30 minutes, making train travel as competitive as car travel. Additional capacity could be added to the Galway-Dublin route by double tracking the line from Portarlington to Athlone. Building a link from Athenry to Tuam would also help reduce commuting times into Galway.

Something else which was made known and that we should highlight to the public is that one can significantly reduce the cost of rail travel by booking online. A significant saving can be made of which many people are unaware. If one travels from Ballinasloe to Dublin, a ticket booked online costs €16 but costs close to €30 when bought on the day of travel. We should highlight the online savings better. My most important call is for a debate on rail transport and how to make the service more efficient, cost-effective and user-friendly.