Ms Anne Graham:

If Cork is to develop as set out in the national development plan and to do so in the locations where it is indicated it should, that is, compactly within the city and city centre, then that project should be delivered as part of integrated transport at the latter part of the 20-year transport strategy for Cork. The plans are under way in terms of looking at route alignment but many things have to happen before that project would stack up. It needs to see the intensification of development in the city so the demand will support a light rail system of the future.

In the meantime, as the Senator knows, we are working to improve the rail system. We have launched the BusConnects Cork network proposals and we have moved forward with infrastructure to prioritise buses and cycling. It is all challenging to deliver but that is the plan for Cork. We want to deliver it for the people of Cork.