Regions must get a better deal

THE long-awaited report on the future of our creaking rail network is welcome as far it goes.

But the crucial question is whether it goes far enough and from the viewpoint of people in the regions, and particularly the west, the answer is a loud No.

It may be the most comprehensive review of the system ever conducted, but it is unlikely to convince the many travellers standing for hours in rickety carriages today that a new age has dawned for our railways. Already described as “anti-rural Ireland,” it is extremely disappointing that this blueprint concentrates on prioritising the existing service. Essentially, it runs counter to the ideals of the much-vaunted national spatial strategy and consigns people in the west to a railway siding.

They have every right to be angry over the report’s coolness towards a rail corridor running from Derry to Sligo and Cork. Equally depressing, is the failure to prioritise the Limerick Junction-Rosslare and Connolly Station-Navan connections. Given its perceived concentration on Dublin, people in the regions can be forgiven for feeling like second-class citizens. Ultimately, shortage of cash could prove to be its Achilles heel. Overall, the consultants envisage 8.5 billion being invested in the network over the next 20 years.

Most of the money would go towards upgrading lines linking Dublin to Galway, Waterford, Rosslare, Westport, Ballina, Sligo and Cork. The report also gives the green light for expanding the DART, and Dublin and Cork suburban services.

Predictably, given the parlous state of the Exchequer coffers, anything that smacks of pouring money into the rail system is certain to be resisted by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy.

Having overseen the squandering of Celtic Tiger wealth on a raft of pre-election schemes designed to win votes, Deputy McCreevy is now making the public pay for his party’s extravagance by imposing swingeing cutbacks, ranging from health to education and community schemes.

He has already accused Transport Minister Séamus Brennan of proposing unrealistic developments in the realm of public transport. Internal tensions in the management of government have also emerged between Mr McCreevy and Health Minister Micheál Martin, who has finally reacted to repeated criticism of overspending in the health service by openly accusing the Department of Finance of losing sight of the bigger picture.

While Mr McCreevy has a job to do, it is a bitter pill to swallow that because of the Coalition’s excess, the dead hand of the Department of Finance is slowly but surely grinding the nation to a halt.

That said, Mr Brennan’s enthusiasm for enhancing the country’s railway system represents a refreshing change of attitude within the Cabinet. For too long, the railways have been treated as the Cinderella of public transport. Deputy Brennan’s suggestion that Irish Rail should fund new investment by selling off dormant property makes much sense. And, as he says, it makes no sense to create a new tunnel between Dublin’s Heuston and Connolly stations if there is any hope of enhancing an existing tunnel under the Phoenix Park.

Rebuilding and revitalising the railways should mean a better and faster service for the travelling public. In areas where people are crying out for better local services, a sure way to enhance their prosperity is to reopen disused lines. The Government must do more than pay lip service to the regions. It should put its money where its mouth is by revamping the railways.