Supporting Tourism in Cork and Kerry

Date: 29 July 2008

Transport 21 – Supporting Tourism in Cork and Kerry

· Almost 4 million tourists visited South West region in 2007, spending €1,280 million
· Better roads, trains and regional airports – delivered under Transport 21 programme – will support the continued development of regional tourism

July 29th, 2008

Transport 21, the largest investment package ever in Ireland’s transport infrastructure, is making a significant contribution to the ongoing development of Ireland’s tourism industry. The plan – which is investing €34 billion in transport infrastructure over the period 2006 to 2015 – is transforming transport links, giving visitors to Ireland greater options when it comes to travelling between our cities and accessing the rural countryside.

Commenting today (Tuesday), Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, said:

“The value of tourism to Cork and Kerry is very considerable. In 2007, almost 4 million tourists visited the south west region, spending €1,280 million there. In addition, several of Ireland’s top attractions are based in the region. In 2006, more than 395,000 tourists visited Blarney Castle, with almost 300,000 calling to Fota Wildlife Park. In the same year, almost 200,000 tourists visited Muckross House, Park and Traditional Farms in Killarney, County Kerry.

“The Transport 21 package of investment is supporting the tourism industry by making it easier, safer and more pleasant to travel around Ireland. The new N8 Dublin/Cork road is on time and on budget for completion in 2010. Already, 47 kilometres of this new road are open to traffic, with the Mitchelstown/Fermoy section of the route under construction at present.

“Other road improvements which have already been delivered include the N8 Fermoy Bypass, N8 Watergrasshill Bypass, N8/N73 Mitchelstown Relief Road, N22 Ballincollig Bypass, N25 Youghal Bypass, N25 Kinsale Road Interchange, and the N71 Skibbereen Relief Road. Statutory approval has been received for the N25 Cork Southern Ring Road interchanges, with further road developments in planning.

“In Kerry, the 7 kilometre N21 road development, from Castleisland to Abbeyfeale, is open to traffic. On the N22, the Gortalea to Farranfore scheme is open to traffic, whilst the Farranfore to Killarney scheme is at route selection stage. These new road developments, coupled with the significant road improvements which will be delivered in the coming period, are transforming how people access Cork City, and travel throughout counties Cork and Kerry.

“Rail services in the region are also benefitting very significantly from Transport 21 investment. 67 new Intercity locomotive-hauled carriages are in service on the Dublin/Cork line representing an investment of €117m. This investment has allowed for the introduction of hourly departures in both directions, with passenger numbers up 14% and punctuality running at a record 93%. For customers, the experience of travelling in these new carriages is second to none.

“Work has also commenced on reopening the rail line between Glounthaune and Midleton, involving investment of over €100 million, to provide a commuter rail service for Cork city.

“New Intercity Railcars, already in service on a number of rail routes, will be introduced on Kerry rail services before the end of 2008. Rail travel to Kerry is popular, with a total of 578,000 passenger journeys being made on Kerry line in 2007 – an increase of 5% on 2006 figures. The introduction of new Intercity Railcars will further improve rail services into Kerry, offering visitors the most comfortable and reliable rail access to the county.

“Transport 21 is also funding new, state-of-the-art, vehicles for Bus Éireann, benefitting residents, commuters and tourists alike. Transport 21 is funding 239 new vehicles for Bus Éireann nationally.

“In addition, transport 21 has allocated funding of €17.7 million to Kerry Airport as part of a package of measures to improve Ireland’s regional airports. This investment will be used towards improvements to the terminal and related facilities and to cater for increased tourist business, especially short break traffic.

“Tourism makes a major contribution to Ireland’s economy. I believe that, by substantially improving our road, rail, bus and regional airport links, Transport 21 will have a positive impact on our tourism industry by making it easier, safer and more pleasant to travel around Ireland. The Transport 21 package of investment is already delivering tangible benefits to the transport infrastructure in Cork and Kerry, and many more improvements are on the way.”

Ends.

Note to editors:

The latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that the number of visitors to Ireland in the first quarter of the year reached 1,542,000. This is an increase of 4% when compared with the first quarter of 2007. These visitors made a huge contribution to the economy, with spending valued at €824 million for the January, February and March 2008 period. Last year, expenditure by visitors to Ireland for 2007 was estimated to be €4.9 billion .

Since it was launched two years ago, Transport 21 has invested €4.7 billion in transport networks across Ireland. Almost €3 billion is being spent by Transport 21 in 2008, and over the lifetime of the programme – which runs to 2015 – €34 billion will be invested.

Transport 21 investment will significantly improve links between the major urban centres, and improve links to all regions, which will be of significant benefit to tourists. 406 kilometres of the Major Inter-Urban routes (MIU) linking Dublin to Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford is under construction, and is on time and on budget for 2010 completion. 332 kilometres of the MIU routes are already open to traffic.

Transport 21 is also investing heavily in public transport improvements. Visitors to Ireland who chose to travel by bus or train will benefit from more comfortable and more frequent services. Transport 21 has invested in Intercity Railcars on the Sligo, Galway, Limerick and Westport lines, and before the end of 2008 they will also be introduced on the Waterford, Kerry, Rosslare, Athlone, Carlow and Portlaoise lines.

New buses for Bus Éireann are enhancing existing services and allowing for the introduction of new routes. Transport 21 funding has allowed Bus Éireann to order 239 new vehicles, offering tourists who chose to travel across Ireland by bus greater comfort and safety.

Ends