John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute briefly to this debate. I welcome Project Ireland 2040. I refer briefly to Senator Ned O'Sullivan who spoke of a plan, and a further plan and Joseph Stalin. My view has always been that any plan is better than no plan, although I want it to be a good plan. The Senator spoke of the investment by the Fianna Fáil Government during the early noughties, which I acknowledge, but he also mentioned how planning went belly up in Joseph Stalin's era. The Senator's memory might be questionable in this regard. The Minister adverted to this himself in the sense that we are playing catch up because of under-investment as a result of the economic crash, which was challenging in itself. This plan gives us a pathway to provide a modern, efficient transport infrastructure throughout the country and an efficient system of connectivity within our congested cities. I defer to my Dublin colleagues on many of the issues raised, though I have a query which I will raise later regarding metro north, but I am more aware of what is happening in Galway. Prior to having any involvement in politics, I recall hearing about this ring road in Galway city in 2000 that was being held up by the bats in Moycullen. How near are we to having that bypass which is vital to opening up Connemara to tourism and so on.

There is an urgent need to open up the regions with modern infrastructure. I refer again to Senator O'Sullivan's contribution. Many projects were cancelled or stopped in 2007 or 2008 because of the crash. I welcome the recent completion of the Gort to Tuam motorway, the N17. This needs to be connected to Sligo and the north west and the N4 and N5. There has been great increase in air connectivity and in the numbers of passengers coming through the three State airports, particularly Dublin where a second runway is proposed. As a rural representative, I welcome the acknowledgment in this plan of the important part played by regional airports in the economic recovery and its sustenance. Reference is made to Kerry and Waterford airports and so on, but I would highlight Ireland West Airport Knock. I was chair of a study group there that recommended investment of €36.5 million in projects, including the overlaying of the runway and the apron, as well as its designation as a strategic development zone. The airport is as crucial to the west and north west as Dublin airport is to the eastern region. I welcome the support that has been given on this and urge that it continue.

I welcome the Minister's acknowledgement of the importance of developing the regions. He noted he was examining the role that an extension to the western rail corridor could play in the Atlantic economic corridor, which is crucial. Will he elaborate on that?

Regarding metro north, I was a part of a transport committee delegation that visited Na Fianna GAA club and other areas on the proposed route prior to the summer recess. Consultation is ongoing on that but club representatives contacted the committee again recently. They say that, despite media reports of resolution, there has been no formal agreement with TII or any other body and the concerns about the impact and scope of the project in the community remain. Will the Minister update us on that?

The Minister mentioned the state-of-the-art sports campus. I congratulate everybody involved. As someone who has been passionately involved in sport over the years and who understands the needs of elite athletes and the supports they require, the campus is an example of what can be done when there is co-operation between all the sports governing bodies, Sport Ireland and the Department. I very much welcome it. I have visited it on many occasions and used it for sporting activities. It is a great advertisement for the country and demonstrates what can be done. The results in various sports recently have been brilliant and long may they continue.