Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My final question relates to the Limerick Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy, LSMATS. It went out to public consultation in Limerick a number of months ago. I held a public Zoom meeting that many people attended and a number of issues came back. It was felt that the strategy is not ambitious enough in a number of areas. It was deemed that the area does not have the population for a light rail system. I made a detailed submission asking two things of the National Transport Authority, NTA. One of those was that it would consider looking at the existing rail network around Limerick city, which presents enormous possibilities within the city, going out into Moyross and perhaps incorporating a spur from Cratloe to Shannon Airport. I ask that our guests take on board all the points that have been made. I also ask the NTA to go out for a further period of public consultation in Limerick and Shannon.

The exciting aspect of the strategy is that it is linking Limerick and Shannon in a structured way through public transportation for the first time. That is very welcome but we want to get it right. Will our guests comment on the rail system and give a commitment to go out for a further public consultation on a revised draft plan in order that we can get buy-in from people? Everyone wants to get to the same end point but people had strong observations to make on the LSMATS. Ms Graham might just given a commitment on further public consultation.