Transport officials warn Shane Ross of funding shortfalls

Minister for Transport Shane Ross has been told the present levels of exchequer funding are "not sufficient to maintain the existing land transport network".

Briefing documents supplied to Mr Ross by his officials said the level of investment in Ireland’s transport infrastructure was at a historic low, and needed to be increased by at least €300 million a year to achieve a standstill position.

At current levels of funding, officials warn, there was “essentially no scope for infrastructure improvements vital to cater for future demand growth and support competitiveness and future economic development”. In addition, there is no money for investments required to reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions.

All departments are warning their Ministers they have a special case for increased funding, but the Department of Transport’s warnings are especially stark. Funding levels are at less than half the 50-year average as a proportion of national income, the briefing documents warn.

Funding pressures

The documents warn of funding pressures and industrial relations difficulties at the CIÉ companies, but warn the Minister that the department has “no legal function” in relation to the Luas dispute. They clash with the recently published programme for government in some respects.

Sceptical

The briefing documents show that the department is sceptical about any further investment in the Western Rail Corridor, a proposed rail line between Ennis and Collooney, Co Sligo, which has long been the subject of demands for investment.

Independent TDs from the region, especially Galway East TD Seán Canney, said a commitment to re-examine future funding of the line was included in the programme for government. The programme promises "an independent costing and review of the Western Rail Corridor phase two between Athenry and Claremorris for passenger and freight use".

“No measures will be taken to prevent the future reactivation of this corridor for rail use,” the programme says.

However, the briefing documents say the first phase of the corridor, which was opened at a cost of more than €100 million in 2010, had achieved only a quarter of the projected passenger numbers of 200,000 a year. “It is understood,” the documents say, “that the route operates at a considerable loss for Iarnród Éireann.”