Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am from an average provincial town with a population of just under 30,000. Over the last ten years we have seen the decentralisation policy shelved, with an estimated 200 jobs lost to Mullingar. Our hospitals are under constant threat, we have a shadow and under-resourced Garda force, we have had bank and post office closures and the removal of State veterinary services. The list goes on and on. Deputy Ross, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, has responsibility for Irish Rail and this gives rise to serious concerns. The Minister has instigated a review of rail services. His Department provides €308 million in funding to Irish Rail every year but must find a further €642 million to prevent the company from becoming insolvent. The answer that the Minister has come up with to solve this enormous problem is public consultation. He maintains that public consultation is the way forward.