Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before we assess a policy, we should allow it to be announced. I understand that will happen very soon. I know the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will make an announcement regarding an action plan for rural Ireland. My understanding is that the challenges rural Ireland faces, which I know well and have experienced, regarding depopulation and the availability of public services are a concern of the Oireachtas. That is what the report seeks to address. Alongside that, areas with high population densities, which are concentrated in larger urban areas and cities, will be the main beneficiaries at the same time of improved public transport plans such as: Luas Cross City; the availability of more buses - for example, to Dublin Bus; and the potential for a high-capacity metro link. Because of the lower population densities of other parts of the country, these facilities' equivalents might be available but the scale of investment is unlikely to be. This provides the background to the rural action plan which I think the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will launch soon and which, when launched, will be able to deal with the kind of issue the Deputy has articulated.