Elisha McCallion (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My apologies, a Chathaoirligh. I am sharing time with Senator Gavan.

I welcome the Minister into the Chamber, and having listened to him this morning and having read the Bill, he will be glad to hear that Sinn Féin is happy enough to facilitate the speedy passage of this Bill through the Seanad today.That said, I concur with what has been said on the legislative process and the fact we have been forced to push through significant legislation over the past number of weeks. Given the loophole in which we find ourselves in relation to the new regulations from the EU, we are happy on this occasion to support today's Bill.

I record Sinn Féin's thanks to the Railway Accident Investigation Unit, RAIU, for the diligent way it conducts investigations into accidents. Its assistance ensures confidence in the public who use the service and the smooth running of the network. Public transport plays an increasing part in people's lives and many people look back in envy at the rail network that once flourished in Ireland but which over the decades was left to deteriorate and was replaced by the car, in particular. Now transport by train is being looked at with a fresh eye and rightly so. It has the benefits of getting commuters where they need to go, whether it be for work or pleasure, cheaply while making a significant contribution to protecting the environment, which I am sure Senators are all familiar with.

It is time this Government had a fresh look at its policy in relation to the rail network. Successive governments have neglected it and presided over a deteriorating service for many years. The deterioration is across the entire island. I listened to my colleague, Deputy O'Rourke, in the Dáil a few days ago when he said that 81% of people in his county of Meath work outside the county and commute daily by car because the rail infrastructure is in such neglect. I have often heard others reference, in particular, the total absence of rail network in the western region and my colleague, Deputy Mac Lochlainn, has referenced that on many occasions.

A few days ago, as the Minister will be aware, the Assembly in the North held a special meeting in relation to bringing rail infrastructure into the north west. My party colleagues, Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan, along with all the other political parties, backed a proposal to work with the Government of this State.

I welcome the announcement the Government made a few weeks ago on a feasibility study of the potential of high-speed rail going in from Derry to Cork. I look forward to working with the Minister and his officials on that and the sooner it starts the better. The stark reality faces us all in relation to the neglect, particularly in the north west. Derry's rail station is the second most isolated station on the entire island. The Minister has referenced the fact that we need to look at the possibility of bringing rail into the north west but I would like that work to be made concrete. The sooner that can happen, the better.

I will finish on that but I emphasise the need to ensure the piece of work the Minister has committed to doing becomes a reality. I look forward to working with him and his officials.