Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. My first two questions are for Ms Graham from the National Transport Authority. It is fine to have a national planning framework that spans the next 20 years. Are there immediate plans to provide a light rail service around Galway? Are there plans to bolster the bus service?

I thank Mr. McGrath and Mr. Kelly for their presentations. I understand they consulted each other about getting a road built to Parkmore. Let us call a spade a spade here after the debacle that took place in Athenry where people objected to a planning application. Realistically, we are more than likely going to encounter people again that will want to object. In my opinion, the outer ring road is probably ten years away, which is not good for Galway and will not tackle the current traffic crisis. I can travel to Dublin quicker than travel the shorter distance of 43 miles to the offices of Galway County Council, which is a frightening reality. Where are we with solving the lane issue mentioned by Mr. Neary? There are other plans afoot. Is another road that has been estimated to cost €5 million being considered?

In terms of a park and ride scheme, we have the airport site. I wonder, no more than other Deputies, what is happening with the park and ride schemes.

The hospital has been mentioned. Is there joined-up thinking between the National Transport Authority, both councils and the HSE on plans, if any, for the hospital to be moved to Merlin Park? Deputy Naughton has raised the issue on several occasions.

What can we do quickly to deal with this? I know that businesspeople, especially those in large companies in Galway, cannot say it, but the traffic chaos is preventing companies from investing and coming to the west. While there is no magic bullet to solve the problem in Galway city overnight, can efforts be made to deal with quick fixes?

It is predicted that the population of Galway will grow by 45,000 people in the next 20 years, which means that 18,000 housing units will be needed. While I hope we will be able to have high rise developments around the CIE depot in the city, where else will we fit that number of units? If a city is in chaos, should we not study the existing problems and solve them, rather than engaging in another fire-fighting exercise later?