Ms Anu Meehan:

I have a few observations. There were questions about alternative routes. There is one report here but the maps in it and those which have been downloaded from the website are totally impossible to make out. Even if one opens the maps on the web itself, one cannot make out where these lines and tunnels actually run. I may be wrong, but my understanding is that using Drumcondra as a station is options 1 to 8 and using Whitworth's new station is options 9 and 10. The reasoning weighing up Drumcondra versus Glasnevin is at options 7 and 9, respectively. The only thing I can deduce from that is that the money is a drop in the ocean in comparison to €3 billion and there would be a greater passenger experience if the option is to use Whitworth because it would be all new and there would be no need to work around the existing station at Drumcondra. There would be a further distance to walk for passengers in Drumcondra. As such, there would be a quicker transfer time in Whitworth. However, my understanding is that Ireland is about to be the fattest nation in the European Union within a few years. As such, it might be worth thinking about walking the passengers from one place to another as it may be only exercise they get all day.

We support the schools and clubs on the importance of the time restraints and we support the request for a speedy resolution. We would like that too. Drumcondra is already there and Whitworth is a whole new ballgame. The other difference in outcomes was that Drumcondra would have fewer passengers. However, it was a matter of a few thousand whereas the journey time would be two to three minutes extra. Passengers would save two or three minutes if they were landing at Whitworth rather than Drumcondra, but in the overall scheme of things two to three minutes is not a great amount of time. Another issue that arose for me was to do with the foundations in our architectural conservation area. I went to the public consultation meeting in Glasnevin and spoke with five representatives of TII, not one of whom was able to tell me conclusively whether my house would remain standing as such. One representative said: "When the cracks appear, we will do something about it." Another representative said "of course, there are foundations under your house" whereas another member of my community came over and noted that there were no foundations and the houses were built on clay and rubble. It was very upsetting to be dismissed to that extent by people who do not know. My house was built in 1850 and my parents moved into it as a newly wedded couple in 1900. It has gone through our family. My great grandfather was living in Prospect Avenue in 1830. I know my house but I was dismissed as not knowing what I am talking about. I have a fair idea of what I am talking about.

Rezoning is proposed for the area behind the Brian Boru, when demolished. I understand that the land there belongs to the NTA. Once the new station is put in place, the area behind it will be rezoned and built on. At the moment, it cannot be rezoned for housing because there is no access to it. That is a hidden agenda sitting there and waiting to happen. Our whole community consists of 2,000 people in the architectural conservation area and on the Iona District Residents' Association. Importantly, it is not just a small enclave, it is a much wider community. Taking into consideration Iona and Lindsay Road, most of Iona was also developed without foundations. All of these wonderful houses will be impacted by constant vibrations. The trains will impact indirectly on their properties every two minutes and they will travel at 80 km/h once they leave the station. We will have trains travelling underneath our houses at 80 km/h every two minutes for the rest of our lives. I thank the committee.