John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses from the State agencies and, in particular, the community groups, the sporting clubs and the schools for presenting. We have heard about the problems associated with the preferred route but I would hate to hear about the problems associated with the less preferred route. I would defer to the local public representatives who are directly affected but as somebody who has been involved in volunteerism and in sporting activity, in particular in the GAA, over the years, and who was a teacher, I very much empathise with what has been outlined today.

I simply cannot see a situation where six years of community life in this region is going to be wiped out. I do not think it can happen. I believe if one has an issue or a problem, one should spend 20% of one's time on outlining the problem and 80% on finding a solution. I would urge all sides here, including the machinery of the State, to find an acceptable solution to this. Everyone wants this to happen but it needs to take account of the people and people are most important. That is the purpose for which anything is done.

On a couple of specific issues - I will defer to the local people and local public representatives involved - mention was made of extending the consultation period. The probable difficulty with that is that this would extend the uncertainty that is there already. I am not sure how that would work. After the public consultation on 11 May 2018, if there is a deviation from what is already proposed, then will there be public consultation on that as well? I presume there would need to be, and that may be the way to proceed.

A knocking together of heads is needed to serve the people of this community and also to provide them with the most up to date system of public transport; that is the key to it. As somebody who has worked as a teacher, community volunteer and coach, I believe there needs to be an acceptable solution. Today is about highlighting this issue, and it is good to get the relevant people in the one room.