Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will check it for the Deputy. That is the advice I have just received. I will check it for the Deputy.

I agree with Senator Ó Céidigh that the airport connection is a big missing link. The new metro north is obviously the long-term solution for that. It is due to start in 2021 and not finish until 2026 or 2027, which is quite far out. It is in the long-term capital programme out to 2035. This will connect Dublin Airport and Swords to the city. The cost will be €2.4 billion, which is why it has been delayed. It is probably unrealistic to seek an immediate result. The Senator is right in saying that we have a real infrastructure there. I spent much of the past 24 hours examining the problems of capacity at Dublin Airport, which he mentioned, and that with huge numbers coming in, it might get clogged up. If it cannot accommodate the numbers we would like, tourism might be affected. It may become more urgent to have transport facilities into the city. There is not much point in passengers landing at the airport if they have difficulty getting out of it. There is a real consciousness in the Department - and I have it now - that if funds become available, that would be a top priority. The problem the Senator identified has been realised. The issue is that it costs €2.5 billion which we simply do not have it at the moment. If funds become available, however, it would probably move more quickly up the queue. In the meantime, arrangements are being made for a much more active bus service between the airport and the city. It is something of which we are conscious but we cannot promise to do it early unless the funds become available. If they do, it will be high up on the list.

I do not know where the Galway bypass stands in the queue. I ask Mr. Mullaney to help me.