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

That is correct. It would also lead to potential rat runs into Lorcan Road, Shanrath, etc. This is of grave concern for many residents in the constituency. Is there a plan B? Although these are called continuous bus corridors, CBCs, would it be possible to suspend its continuous nature for the relevant stretch of road, a mere 200 m to 300 m, which is all that would be required? Have projections been made regarding the outcome if the continuous bus corridor was suspended for that stretch? If not, can such traffic projection be carried out? We are talking about a 12 km bus corridor but this short 200 m to 300 m stretch is causing all of the anxiety regarding the bus corridor. Public representatives, residents, and those in the NTA need to think outside the box on this issue. We can resolve it. Does the NTA have any proposals at this stage or has it previously examined alternatives? Have traffic projections been carried out regarding the outcome if that bus corridor were to be suspended? As I mentioned, the restriction of the current 5.8 million annual car movements in Omni Park shopping centre would lead to a loss of jobs. The shopping centre has compiled a submission to the NTA and I have met engineers who have proposed several alternatives.

The proposal would lead to additional car movements. Many local journeys from areas such as Shanliss, where I live, and Shanowen would treble in length as a consequence of the proposed change to a one-way system. That would obviously run entirely counter to what Ms Graham mentioned in her opening statement with regard to reducing carbon emissions and would undercut one of the key principles of the BusConnects campaign, which is to reduce carbon emissions and make more people use public transport. This proposal would inadvertently increase carbon emissions along the bus corridor, which does not seem to run in line with the principles Ms Graham set down. What are her thoughts in that regard?

I wish to emphasise that, as Mr. Creegan rightly predicted, the Santry village issue is proving the key bone of contention with regard to the bus corridors. I am not in the business of being against things for the sake of it but I do flag concerns. I delivered my November submissions to the NTA office. It is 12 December and my submissions for December, which I have before me, are already substantial. Many people are rightly very exercised about this issue. It will affect their lives, commutes, houses, house prices, and the journeys they have made for many years. I hope the NTA has a plan B in mind. I ask Ms Graham or Mr. Creegan to respond to my questions on the traffic impacts if the continuous bus corridor were to be suspended for that 200 m or 300 m stretch.