Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ms Graham, Mr. Creegan and I have seen a lot of each other over recent months. I have seen more of them than I have of my family. Perhaps that illustrates the scale of their ambition to transform transport in Dublin city and across the country. There is no question about the fact that the broad scale and scope of these ambitious plans is to be lauded. I want to state from the outset that I believe the idea of trying to anticipate the challenges, demands and needs of public transport right across Dublin city is to be lauded. A number of challenges arise in this context. Some of them are general and relate to the process and some of them are more local.

I will start with the general concerns and problems I have. Why has it been decided that the process of consultation should be staggered? Why is there consultation on the routes, in the first instance, followed by consultation on the core bus corridors? The consultation on the corridors has been divided into three phases. As Ms Graham has said, the first phase of consultation on the corridors began in November and ended in February. The second phase will begin in January and end in March. The third phase will begin in February and end in April. This puts public representatives in a difficult position. In effect, we have to decide, debate and work with constituents in an information vacuum. We do not know the exact scale of the plans for the core bus corridors from Ballymun to the city centre, or from Finglas to Phibsborough. We are expected to adjudicate and make arguments on the corridor from Swords to the city centre, which passes through Santry village, in a vacuum of information. I suggest at this early stage that we should extend the deadline for the first phase so that people can make their adjudications, observations and decisions in a cohesive and holistic way. I would appreciate it if the NTA would consider that.

I reiterate that I would like to know why the corridor consultation is going ahead when we do not know what the revised routes will be. It is obvious the routes which were proposed in the draft plan a few months ago solicited an unprecedented volume of feedback. I understand that approximately 30,000 pieces of feedback were received. I assume this will naturally lead to some revisions of the draft plans. When I met representatives of Dublin Bus yesterday, they certainly left me under no illusion that there will be revisions to the draft plans. If there are revisions to the draft plans, it would seem fair to posit that they will potentially have knock-on effects on the core bus corridors. We are adjudicating and giving feedback in a vacuum, based on an old draft route plan. We are not privy to, and do not have access to, the current draft route plan. When will the current plan be released? Will it be released in time for the current consultation deadline, as it stands?

I would like to ask about the consultation meetings themselves. Last night, Deputy Shortall hosted a meeting of more than 20 residents' associations. It was suggested very clearly at that meeting that the consultation meeting which is due to take place on 8 January should be split into a Swords consultation and a separate and distinct Santry consultation. It is clear there are many interested bodies in Santry. It was suggested that the issues being faced outside and inside the M50 on this 12 km bus corridor route are potentially somewhat separate and distinct. From the perspective of how NTA officials, public representatives and residents will spend their time, it would be beneficial to split the consultation into two meetings. I would appreciate the witnesses' feedback on that.

As we know, it is planned that the bus corridor between Swords and the city centre will be considered at a meeting on 8 January next. I would be curious to know whether it is intended at this stage that any additional meetings will take place. A number of residents' associations intend to put questions to the NTA, just as I am doing right now. I think it would be useful and beneficial to have a second round of consultation before the date in question.

What are the terms of reference for the consultations? Last night, a number of residents expressed concern about the lack of published terms of reference for these consultations. I understand the NTA intends to publish them and is working on them now. I would appreciate it if we could get a date for that.