Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I am somewhat disappointed with the responses from both the NTA and TII, neither of which gave any indication that it had heard the concerns raised at this meeting. How much more starkly can we spell out to them that the current plan and configuration are simply not acceptable to the local community and the other interests represented today, including public representatives? It is not good enough to state that the NTA and TII will not move on to the statutory process. We all know what this means. Once a project proceeds to the statutory process, it is essentially set in stone and it becomes extremely difficult to reverse it at that point because the costs involved would usually be prohibitive. If the NTA and TII are serious about public consultation, they will listen to what members of the public in the greater Glasnevin area. Public consultation does not mean telling people what one is planning to do but listening to what they have to say. I have not had any indication from either of the two agencies that they have heard what we are saying.

I am also interested in hearing from the NTA and TII about their assessments of the alternative options. Can they provide an assurance that they examined other options and have found these to be feasible? While none of these may be the preferred option, are there other feasible options that will address the serious concerns raised? It is important that we have that information. Let us stop fooling each other about this issue. We do not want this project to proceed as currently proposed. What can the agencies do to respond to the very serious concerns expressed about it?

With regard to the schools, time is of the essence because this is a particularly difficult and sensitive time of the year. We heard that key decisions are being taken about the schools to which parents will send their children from next September onwards. The confidence of parents has already been knocked in respect of the two affected schools and the Naoínra. Given that there is no time to waste in this regard, the NTA and TII must issue a response on the matter at an early stage.

This has been a worthwhile session and I hope both agencies will give consideration to all the concerns raised today and appear again at an early date. While different approaches to addressing this matter are available, the joint committee, as a formal forum, is good way to address this issue. It allows all the different interests to be represented in one room and all members can hear the same story. This is very important and I ask the agencies not to attempt to fob us off by arguing there is a statutory process under way and people can submit their views to An Bord Pleanála. That argument is of no use to us.

I ask the NTA and TII to make a commitment to appear again at an early stage and give a clear indication to the joint committee that they have heard what members and witnesses have said today. I hope the penny has dropped to the effect that we do not believe the proposal is acceptable in its current form. The two agencies must examine alternative sites and routes before we could consider allowing this project to proceed.