Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. Tomorrow is the last day for submissions to the DART+ West project public consultation in regard to permanent closure of the level crossings and how communities are facilitated. That involves my area of Ashtown, Coolmine, Porterstown and Clonsilla. I encourage everyone to get their submissions into DARTWest@irishrail.ie.The deadline as I said is tomorrow, Wednesday, 6 October at 5 p.m.It is a much-needed project and it is great to see the commitment to it again in the national development plan. It is overdue. We need that investment in public transport. Obviously, however, none of these things are easy. When it comes to something like the permanent closure of level crossings, that brings disruption to communities. Part of the brief to Irish Rail is to automatically close the level crossings as part of the process, as opposed to trying to make them automatic. This is something that will become part of the other parts of DART+ as well, because we are told that it will happen not just in DART+ West but also in the other parts of DART+. It is as if Irish Rail is operating with one hand tied behind its back. Obviously, the best approach is to find an alternative route if it is closing down a road, but sometimes that is not viable as the infrastructure is too invasive. Even then, if it kept the level crossings open at non-peak times, it will still have to find other alternatives. However, it should still be on the table. There are areas where it is just not viable to have an alternative. It is going to have a major impact on the community.

We should invite the Minister for Transport to the House to debate these matters. Well done to all the communities that have mobilised to make their submissions in difficult circumstances.