Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Garvey, I welcome the funding of €95,000 to conduct a feasibility study to connect the Westport, Castlebar and Ballina greenways. That would be a 60 km route, which would be fantastic for the county, linking the three greenways already in place.

I ask that the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister with responsibility for transport to come to the House in the not too distant future to discuss issues with Iarnród Éireann, particularly level crossings. I would like to raise an issue with a level crossing, with which the Deputy Leader will be familiar. The level crossing at Kilnageer on the Belcarra-Breaffy road just outside Castlebar is operated by a manual gate. The local residents recently addressed Mayo County Council in relation to some very serious near misses in the area. The gates have to be closed after each vehicle passes. While there are flashing red lights, drivers are supposed to close the gate after crossing the line. This is dangerous and confusing for motorists. I ask the Deputy Leader to request that the Minister come to the House to give an update on the number of level crossings in the country. The level crossing at Kilnageer could be modified, whether by automating the existing gates or constructing a bridge over the railway line. This needs to be done and I ask that the Minister come to the House.