Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will find out the relevant information for the Deputy.

I am sorry about the difficulties experienced by Deputy O'Keeffe and that Luas cross-city does not currently address those concerns. We are addressing many issues of that sort. There is an issue outside the Dublin area which we are addressing that I suspect I should not discuss now because it does not regard the Luas cross-city but I will do so to try to be helpful to the Deputy. Construction has started on the first of the major upgrade schemes, that being the widening of the M7 Naas bypass and an upgrade to the Sallins bypass and Osberstown interchange projects. Those are being implemented as one project.

Additional funding is being provided as part of the capital plan review which will allow for significant enhancements to the programme. The funding has facilitated a range of national roads initiatives, including M50 safety enhancement works, measures to reduce energy usage for traffic route lighting, the inclusion of some additional major and minor road upgrade schemes in TII's construction programme and the appraisal of a range of projects with a view to developing a pipeline of future projects. Financial provision is also being made to meet the Government's commitment to contribute to the A5 upgrade.

Quite a lot of money will be spent under the new capital plan in addressing the issue of park and ride facilities. I hope that will help to address issues on the outskirts of Dublin such as that referenced by Deputy O'Keeffe regarding his getting to that point and difficulties beginning at the Red Cow roundabout. That is an issue for many people travelling to Dublin. That will be addressed and commitment to so doing has been made in the new capital plan.

In addition, the internal workings of Dublin transport will be revolutionised in many ways, such as through the Bus Connects initiative, on which approximately €770 million will be spent in the coming years, beginning in 2019. Issues other than the Luas are being addressed at great expense. The overall consideration is not solely in respect of Dublin and Broombridge to Sandyford, as other problems are also being considered.. It is hoped that the Bus Connects initiative will also be introduced in Cork, which might interest Deputy O'Keeffe.