Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute on behalf of Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile.In respect of transport, I refer first to the recent revelation published in The Irish Timesthat, in 2011, the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, blocked EU funding for infrastructural projects in the west and north west. The revelation proved the intention of this Government, and previous Governments, to concentrate economic growth and development in the eastern region. The upgrade of road and rail networks, that has long been recognised by community and business groups as vital for the sustainability of the regions, were removed from the plans with the blame directed towards the EU. Sinn Féin believes this is a scandalous revelation. All of the spin, even in overdrive, by the strategic communications unit could not hide the betrayal of rural regions by the Taoiseach.

The programme for Government contained a commitment to seek a review of the Irish trans-European transport network or TEN-T projects by the European Union within the first three months of government. I understand this review has not been carried out. The TEN-T funding for major transport projects that have a positive carbon reduction impact can be in excess of 50% and up to 75%, yet the Government refused to use the opportunity to invest in rural regions. Some weeks ago Sinn Féin asked the Taoiseach why the western rail project was not included in the much published 2040 plan. We were told that the project did not meet the criteria contained in a cost-to-benefit survey. Again, I suggest his reply is merely further spin. A freight and passenger western rail project would open up the parts of the country that have the most potential for development. It would transport goods to ports in the south of the country that export directly to European markets. Obviously exporting directly to mainland Europe is becoming more part of the conversation. This is the time for a real change in direction in terms of investment in our ports, airports, roads, modern rail and broadband services along the west, in the midlands and across the Border. This episode shows the finances can be found and all professional analysis shows that the return to the economy would be enormous, thus leading to sustainable social balance.

I ask the Minister to urgently prioritise a plan to engage with the city councils of both Dublin and Belfast on the memorandum of understanding that includes the development of an hourly high-speed rail link between both cities. The former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade stated that the project would be a priority for Government. Any plan to link Ireland, its people and places must span all of Ireland and defy the illogical, incoherent and self-defeating harm of operating on a partitionist basis only. Ireland works best when we work together.

On sport and cycling, I have resumed cycling to Leinster House with the resumption of the sittings and I find the commute frustrating. I used to experience road rage when I drove my car in this city but now I experience road rage when I cycle to work on my bike. My rage is not directed at anyone else on the road but stems from the poor network of cycle lanes. I cycle from the Luas red line stop at Blackhorse to the Suir Road, navigate a pedestrian crossing and some vacant land and then I encounter the Luas line at Rialto Park. Thankfully, I can then quietly cycle around the Guinness brewery and on into Pimlico and Meath Street. There is a good cycle route from Blackhorse to the Suir Road and along the canal. Unfortunately, it seems that the plan for the Luas lines did not take cyclists into consideration and provide two cycle lanes along the track. If some areas can be patched up, then two cycles lanes could be provided but sadly, such ambition does not appear to be present. When one reaches Meath Street one must go left and swing back up on to St. James's Street. The one-way routes around the city are completely designed for car use, which frustrates cyclists. I break the rules and cycle towards-----