Inquiry Regarding the Disruption of Railway Construction in Rohuküla (No. 731)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-05-06 00:44
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 44
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 32m
AI Summaries: 44/44 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh agenda item concerned the inquiry regarding the construction of the Rohuküla railway, submitted by several members of the Riigikogu (regime crisis: continuation of the Haapsalu – Rohuküla section, financing of the Turba–Risti section, and related regional political priorities). In the discussion, it was noted that, in a broader context, the plan for the Riisipere–Rohuküla section is also important, as is the subsequent implementation of the five main directions of the public transport reform. The planned development of the railway in Western Estonia is linked to both local life and the economy, as well as the unique characteristics of the archipelago, and solutions are distributed over time based on the possibilities and priorities of the state budget.
The second part of the discussion focused on the previous government's decisions regarding the financing of the Turba–Risti section, and questions regarding whether the Haapsalu and Rohuküla section can continue, and whether its financing will be permitted again in subsequent state budget strategies. It was also brought out what other regional political measures the government intends to implement to promote the regional development of Western Estonia.
Decisions Made 1
No specific decisions were made within the scope of this inquiry. The government will continue to work based on priorities, and the focus of discussion is the anticipated funding, timed investments, and the order of infrastructure development, based on the possibilities of the state budget.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Regional Affairs and Agricultural Minister Hendrik Johannes Terras (pid DvOgSs1IRCw). He represented the government's viewpoints regarding the impacts of infrastructure policy priorities – and the limitation of funding – on the development of Western Estonia, and primarily answered questions and inquiries made in the subsequent discussion. His position could be classified as "other" (a government minister) – not as a representative of the left or right wing in the main current of the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The seventh agenda item addresses the interpellation submitted on March 24 regarding the suspension of the Rohuküla railway's construction, which is presented by Riigikogu member Reili Ranna.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand said that people in Lääne County and Hiiumaa are upset about the suspension of funding for the Turba–Risti railway section, stressed that the existing preparations and construction permits must be realized in the Haapsalu–Rohuküla direction, and asked the minister a concrete question about restoring funding in the next state budget period, as well as about broader measures to support the development of Western Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker asked that, in order to answer the interpellation, the Riigikogu's speaking podium be returned to Regional and Agricultural Minister Hendrik Johannes Terras.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
In his address, the minister explained why the 15 million euros allocated to funding climate and energy policy pilot projects on the Turba–Risti railway section were canceled, because they do not meet the pilot projects' objectives, and stated that the construction of the Haapsalu–Rohuküla railway is being discussed in light of the state budget and priorities, where the primary aim is electrified connections at a speed of 160 km/h in the direction of Tartu and Narva, and only afterwards will the remaining investments be evaluated, including the Haapsalu–Rohuküla project, while at the same time presenting the planned measures and supports for the development of West Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and invites questions, and the first question is presented by his colleague Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas asked when one could reach Võru and Haapsalu by a high-speed train, especially the Rohuküla stretch, and whether this plan is part of the coalition agreement.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
At the moment I cannot provide an assessment about the Võru direction, and this is the first time I hear that it is required, but when considering the Haapsalu–Rohuküla section, one must take the state's financial capacity into account; the current priority is to complete the infrastructure for the Narva and Tartu directions and to run trains at a speed of 160 km/h, and only then can we move on to the next projects, because it is not reasonable for the state to support two half-finished projects.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair asked Lauri Läänemets to speak.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that the Reform Party had scrapped the Haapsalu railway project; in the coalition there was an agreement that the money was intended for the public transport reform and for the construction of railway branches, which would be cheaper and better for Läänemaa, and he asked when construction would begin.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He essentially clarified that he himself did not interrupt the process — that was done by the climate minister while he was in the office of regional and agricultural minister — and if projects in the Tartu and Narva directions are brought to completion, the reform plan would allow focusing on the Haapsalu direction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar asks Vladimir Arhipovil to come forward.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov invites the minister and the government to understand how important the Rohuküla–Haapsalu transport link is for the development of Läänemaa and Hiiumaa, stressing that the current disruption of rail traffic undermines the region and asking how large the annual loss would be if the link is not developed.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Hendrik Terras said that the expectations of the residents of Läänemaa and Hiiumaa for a rail connection to Rohuküla are understandable, and if the train were to reach Rohuküla, it would be possible to go directly onto the ferry, but he could not quite understand which calculations were missing and he promised to send more precise information if and when it becomes available.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to perform.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the year 2022, when the Reform Party, alone in government after the Centre Party's ouster, decided to withdraw at once the funding approved by the European Commission for Tallinn Hospital, the Rohuküla railway, and medical helicopters, and abandoned those projects, as a result they were left without funding, and from a regional-political standpoint this is a mistake made by the Reform Party.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
He said that he does not know exactly the Reform Party's considerations, but believes that they made decisions taking into account the country's financial possibilities and their own political judgment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks Tiit Marani to come onto the stage.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran criticizes the minister with two contradictory statements about rural areas, arguing that, as a fatal inevitability, the departure of cities and rural areas is not a solution, and that rural areas cannot be supported solely by the number of inhabitants, and he emphasizes that railway development should also take into account the needs of a small number of people and not channel large sums toward the Narva and Tartu directions, and finally asks what to say to those who do not want to use fossil fuels or who lack the possibility to develop tourism there.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
They emphasize that within the state budget green mobility should be promoted and its development opportunities provided, and they also note that 6 million euros will be allocated for the electrification of buses, which will help reduce public transport emissions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman invites Reili Randi onto the stage.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand emphasizes the economic impact of infrastructure projects and the priorities of the state budget, but draws attention to the expectations of the people of Läänemaa and asks whether the government-planned Risti–Rohuküla railway will restrict the use rights of about 90 property owners, and whether such a restriction is fair.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman Hussar says that now is your time to act.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He emphasizes that landowners lack a sense of security regarding when they will receive fair compensation for their land or clarity.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The minister emphasizes that railway infrastructure construction is within the remit of the Minister of Infrastructure, and although he can consider the regional-political dimension and steer the discussion, it is Leisi's area of responsibility.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar asks Riina Sikkut.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut stressed that the Rohuküla railway is not a political invention of the Social Democrats, but the implementation of evidence-based policy; a nationwide plan will guide public transport on a rail-based basis until 2030, for the next period changes extending to 2050 will be discussed, including whether the western direction will be left out and what will be done with 15 million euros from CO2 funds to build to Ellamaa.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras confirmed that this direction remains in the program and has not been left out; implementation will be carried out according to priorities, projects will be completed, and, with the availability of state funds, it will continue as planned.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson asks Jaak Aabi to speak.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab noted that for the Rohuküla railway all preparations have been made and only funding remains, and this is a good example of the direction of regional policy infrastructure development, while asking whether you agree with it.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Hendrik Johannes Terras thanks his colleague for the question and for this retrospective view.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Regional and Agricultural Minister takes a moment to think, then confirms that you are right to stand by that claim, and the hall laughs.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asked in a supportive tone whether Estonia 200 can push the Rohuküla railway project through, since all parties apparently support it, but the Reform Party has knocked projects down several times.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked and asked Tanel Kiiki.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
I think that developing railways along five corridors is a sensible part of the public transport reform plan, and these corridors should be developed in line with the priorities; at present the priorities are the Tartu and Narva corridors.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited Ester Karuse to speak.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presenter notes that 16 new Škoda trains have been purchased due to the needs of the Rohuküla line and asks what to do with them if the Rohuküla direction is postponed.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The trains have been purchased on the understanding that they can operate on all lines, including the Rohuküla line, and their introduction is planned for when the infrastructure is completed in the directions of Tartu and Narva.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid is invited onto the stage.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid asked the minister whether the Läänemaa tervisetee—the old railway embankment on Turba–Haapsalu–Rohuküla—has been put in order by the start of the tourist season and is rideable and at least open for cycling, until the railway construction is planned or funds are found.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Regional and Agricultural Minister Hendrik Terras said that the existing road is good to use as a pedestrian and cycling path; he supported cycling and bicycle tourism, and he has done this repeatedly on the islands, and this is of interest to him, but he cannot answer about the current condition of the route, and if necessary information can be obtained and sent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar thanks the minister, announces that there are no more questions, opens negotiations, invites the representative of the inquirers, Reili Ranna, back to the podium, and asks for three more minutes.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reeli Rand urged the Estonian Parliament to stop the Haapsalu–Rohuküla railway project, which had been halted due to a political decision, emphasising that it is part of the national mobility program, ready to go, and the next step is to purchase around 90 parcels of land, but the funds are available and only political will is needed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks everyone and states that there are no requests to speak, and that the minister does not wish to speak, and closes the negotiations and ends the consideration of the seventh item on the agenda.