Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 19, after line 36, to insert the following:"(4) The Minister shall establish, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, a committee including representatives of Iarnród Éireann, Shannon Group, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and other such members as the Minister may decide, to examine the possibility of constructing a railway link from the Limerick/Galway rail line to Shannon International Airport. The committee shall report to the Minister within 12 months of the passing of this Act.".

We table this amendment in a positive way because the Bill affords an opportunity for the Minister to reflect on how best to improve linkages and transport connections to and from Shannon Airport which, despite its success and the fact that it is an international airport, is somewhat cut off and depends mainly on bus services and private taxis. The success of most of the main international airports around the world is predicated on being linked to a major rail network. In many cases the railway terminal is under the airport building. We suggest that the Minister consider establishing a group within the next six months to inquire into the feasibility of this proposal, involving members of the Department, Iarnród Éireann, the Shannon group and any other sectors that he believes could make a positive input to this.