Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second the motion.

I thank Senator Buttimer for sharing time and I welcome my colleague, the Minister of State. I thank my colleagues in Fine Gael for their input and support in respect of this most important motion. I also acknowledge the programme for Government commitments and my colleagues within the Green Party and Fianna Fáil. I mentioned the Green Party first. I meant no disrespect to Fianna Fáil, but I think it is fair to say that the Green Party has a huge interest in the area of public transport, as do we all.

The mass movement of people for work, leisure, education and health is a positive. A strong public transport system, which often we see more so on the Continent or when we are on holidays, particularly in cities, is something to which we aspire. There is slow progress in certain areas, for example, with the DART in Dublin. I must say that I do not think the DART would get planning permission today, but it is there and it is working. The Luas is a success, from what I can see. BusConnects is possibly more problematic, based on feedback that I have received in respect of issues relating to the displacement of traffic. As BusConnects is rolled out to Galway and other cities, perhaps this is something that will become evident in those communities. Cycle lanes and infrastructure can also be problematic in certain areas in terms of opposition. That is part of the process of consultation, engagement and bringing people with you in relation to what is planned and why. The national development plan provides the opportunity to improve the infrastructure and delivery of public transport. Climate change - and COP26 and everything else in that regard - is the reason behind this. That is important.

I will speak first in relation to buses. Questions have been asked as to what it would take for people to increase their use of buses. Reliability, affordability, frequency and comfort are the areas I would highlight in that regard. On affordability, I welcome the initiative to introduce half-price fares for those aged 19 to 23. That is a positive in terms of affordability. As we go into the future and in the context of the use of carbon taxes, however, it is an area that we could focus on when it comes to reducing the costs of public transport. It would be a huge incentive to those on low incomes and to students.

I welcome the NTA's Connecting Ireland plan, which has gone to consultation, and the proposals that it contains. The consultation period will run until mid-December, as I understand it. This represents progress, and more is needed. I presume this will be incremental, subject to continued funding for the NTA to deliver more. It does, however, signal an intention on the part of the Government because, as matters stand, the alternatives to private cars in rural areas are limited. It also means that some families that have two cars may decide, based on the adequacy of transport links, that they could do with one and reduce costs as a result. This would be better for the environment.

Senator Buttimer touched on the issue of bus shelters. These are extremely important because we do get a drop of rain in this country. We get blustery conditions and it is not fair to see people having to stand in the rain, whether it is in urban or rural areas. Continued investment in infrastructure is important. The provision of bus shelters, bus pull-in areas and real-time information is also extremely important. I will not say that providing such facilities is simple because in certain circumstances, particularly in urban areas, land may not be available. I know of cases where, despite the best efforts of those involved, land was not made available to provide bus shelters. There are conditions laid down regarding the width of bus shelters and measures to allow for buggies and wheelchairs to be able to use the footpath as well. This is an issue, but it is also hugely important.

Greenways are mainly looked at in terms of tourism and local recreation, but there is potential, certainly in and around urban areas, to use them for the purposes of commuting. In my area, there is huge potential for the greenway around Oughterard, Rosscahill, Moycullen, Bushypark, Galway city and the NUIG, to become a commuting greenway. The project has gone back to route selection stage and AECOM consultants are engaged in that. They will initiate public consultation in the January. Again, it is a slow-burner. It was announced and funded initially in 2014. Some progress and valiant attempts were made by Galway County Council to deliver it, but land was not available. We need to speed up the process of that consultation, engagement with landowners, lodging a planning application and going through the process. I welcome the decisions made in respect of the south Kerry greenway. The latter was very important as a test case for all local authorities across the country in terms of the provision of greenways and ensuring that they are treated in the same as roads in the context of being classed as infrastructure - and much needed infrastructure - and that authorities can access lands to carry out the environmental and planning reports necessary to lodge applications.

I wish to acknowledge the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, application - approved earlier this year - in respect of the reinstatement of an iconic bridge over the River Corrib using the old railway abutments that are already there. Project delays are evident in many places, which is regrettable.

We must make the best use of the public transport corridors available to us. This motion mentions the delivery of phase 2 of the western rail corridor. The project would link all of County Mayo, including the towns of Castlebar, Ballina, Wesport and Claremorris, to the regional capital, Galway, through Tuam, Galway's largest town. It would provide a public transport option into the centre of Galway city to the thousands of people who make journeys from south Mayo or north Galway, all of whom have to suffer the traffic problems around Galway city on a daily basis.

Phase 1 of the western railway corridor from Galway to Limerick carried 500,000 passengers pre Covid-19. The latter was the fastest-growing route on the rail network before the pandemic. It is a classic example of how the provision of a service leads people to use it. Athenry, at the junction of the Dublin and Limerick lines, has passenger numbers at the same level as Kilkenny and close to the those evident in Waterford. If you provide the service, people will use it. We would argue that case as well in respect of other projects, including services to Navan and elsewhere.

I would like to acknowledge the URDF application for a passing 1 km railway loop and a new platform at Oranmore, and the potential for double-tracking and new stations, for example, at Merlin Park or Renmore. In the medium term, double-tracking from Athenry, through Oranmore, into Galway would have huge potential for the eastern part of the city, which is the area most likely to grow and develop, pending delivery of the Galway city ring road.

I also wish to touch on Senator Boyhan's amendment regarding the transport policing unit. I am not sure whether the Minister of State is in a position to accept the amendment. Certainly, it is worth considering. It could be looked at by the Department of Justice, with An Garda Síochána and transport providers, to see if it is something that would have a positive impact on making public transport safer for vulnerable people, women and those travelling on their own. I think it would hugely beneficial. I am not sure whether the Minister of State is in a position to accept the amendment, but I think, wearing her hat as a former Minister of State at the Department of Justice, a commitment to look at something like that would make sense.

There is a lot to this motion. I have touched on some of the points and I know that my colleagues will touch on other areas, particularly in relation to MetroLink in Dublin. I commend the motion to the House.