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

In the previous round of questioning, I focused on the theoretical and on the consultation process. Earlier, we had a discussion on the routes. The NTA is revising those routes and I expect we will have a future discussion on the new routes. I mentioned in my opening remarks that I have engaged many times with the NTA in the past year. I look forward to inviting it for one more round of discussions when it publishes the revisions.

I want now to focus on the contentious point of the four proposed bus corridor routes, which is what we are here to talk about today. Mr. Creegan kindly met the Chairman, myself and a few other committee members. During that meeting he flagged that he understood this issue would be the crucial, crunch point of the bus corridor project. It has been the main focus since the initial report was launched in June 2018.

It regards the proposal to make the road through Santry village one way for vehicular traffic, with a two-way bus lane. Obviously, this poses grave concerns for residents and employers in Santry, as well as the Omni Park shopping centre which registers 2.9 million car movements in and 2.9 million out per year. The centre is responsible for approximately 1,850 jobs.