Report Paul Murphy
Sinn Fein has “a clear and costed vision” to build a modern, accessible and connected transport system that serves all of Ireland, a meeting in Ashbourne has been told. The party’s transport spokesperson Louis O’Hara set out what was termed “ambitious plans to tackle the country’s infrastructural deficits and drive balanced regional development” at the annual Thomas Ashe commemorative lecture at the Ashbourne House Hotel. The event, hosted by Deputy Darren O’Rourke and Councillor Helen Meyer heard that the current concentration of economic
activity in urban areas like Dublin was hindered by a chronic lack of infrastructure.
Deputy O’Hara said that Sinn Fein’s prudent course of action was to develop commuter counties and the regions by eliminating these deficits, with transport investment being a critical component. “Our plan is to build on a simple principle – people must be able to work, live, and commute from all over the country. For too long areas like Meath have suffered from chronic underinvestment . We will change that by finally delivering the services and infrastructure that connects our island and rebalances our economy”, he said.
He added that the centre piece of Sinn Fein’s public transport strategy was a major rail revival. The party was committed to restoring the Western Rail Corridor, fast-tracking the reopening of the Navan rail line and the opening of Metrolink, and delivering on the ambition of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. “To ensure public transport is a viable option for everyone Sinn Fein would increase annual Public Service Obligation funding by €126 million to improve reliability and reduce fares. A dedicated €102 million capital programme would make all public transport wheelchair accessible, guaranteeing equality of access. We would also accelerate the popular Connecting Ireland rural bus scheme. We would also produce new performance accountability metrics for bus operators, including Bus Eireann”.
Deputy O’Hara said that, recognising the reliance on cars, particularly in rural Ireland, it would pledge an additional €200m for road maintenance and safety improvements, with a focus on local and regional roads. Deputy O’Hara said that to ease the cost-of-living burden the party would offset planned toll increases and seek to renegotiate toll contracts for better public value. “Our plan also includes hiring additional NCT and driving testers and investing in the Safe Routes to School programme. Looking to air and sea we need to support regional airports in Cork, Shannon, and Knock to boost tourism and economic activity outside Dublin. Dublin Airport must be planning compliant and Metrolink must be delivered to serve it.
Sinn Fein would invest at least €80m from a new Renewable Energy Investment Fund to upgrade port infrastructure for offshore wind
development , securing energy independence and creating sustainable jobs.” The Sinn Fein deputy criticised the record of successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments as one of delays and deferrals of vital projects.
