Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I commend the work done by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly on the disparity of investment between the north, west and north west and the southern and eastern regions. It is explicit and telling with regard to the investment of projects of more than €1 million or more than €20 million. Despite having 17.6% of the population, the share of investment of tenders over €20 million is 5.7% in the northern and western region. The eastern and midlands region, with 49% of the population, has a 75% share of that investment. Obviously, the capital city and certain areas will always get higher rates of investment, but there is a huge disparity between the eastern region and the west and northern region. That should be addressed through additional investment as part of the national development plan but recognising as well the importance of balanced regional development, which would be good for the northern and western region but also for Dublin. That needs to be recognised.

Connectivity is hugely important in any country for moving large numbers of people on a daily basis. It is fundamental to any developed economy in the modern world. We have to move large numbers of people in an efficient and sustainable manner, and that is not possible in large parts of the west and north west. The region ranks 218 out of 234 for transport infrastructure in the EU regional competitive index. That is a stark finding. The eastern region, by contrast, is ranked 24th. We need to address this imbalance in the national development plan.

We are all aware of the problems as they have been talked about for long enough. We need investment in solutions in a number of projects. The Galway city ring road has been talked about for so long and has been in the planning system. There is a Government commitment to it. It is necessary not just for those driving and using the roads but also to free up Galway city for public transport infrastructure. That is important, as is cycling and pedestrianisation.

Many Senators mentioned the western rail corridor. I again lend my support to that project. We have seen the success of phase 1, Galway to Limerick. Phase 2, Athenry to Claremorris, is a vital project from a passenger and freight point of view. It would also connect Mayo to Galway with a new, sustainable public transport service through Tuam, the largest town in the county, easing traffic on the approaches to Galway. If that project is not committed to in the NDP and if it does not start or is not completed in the lifetime of this Government, we might as well fire our hats at it. We are talking about it for long enough. It is a no-brainer. It is real investment in the region, it is sustainable and environmentally beneficial and it is good for the economy of the area. We have to commit to it and see action on it. We have had enough talk and reports. We have had all-island reviews. There are, I have heard, officials in the Department who would rather see this pushed out again for another decade or two. That is where Ministers come in and say, “No, that ain’t happening; this project will be delivered in the lifetime of this Government.”

Phase 3 is the Claremorris to Sligo section. Again, connecting to Sligo has to be part of the vision, as does, as Senator Scahill said, connecting onwards to Donegal as well.

Regarding the Luas, we had a presentation recently on light rail and very light rail. There is potential in Galway and I ask the Department to continue to look at the possibilities of Luas for Galway.