Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I will speed it up. If you look at west Wicklow, because essentially I was talking about the east coast, the 65 bus route is pretty much the same now as it was 23 years ago. In 2000, there were 15 buses and now there are 16. We are not seeing the increases we need to see. Regarding the Wicklow DART, the Minister asked me earlier on if I would support extending that electric DART to Wicklow town and he said it could be done. I absolutely support it. It is imperative that this is delivered.

What I would say though is that the impression being given by Government TDs in the constituency is that it is a done deal. I have spoken to the NTA, which has stated that no funding has been ring-fenced for it and no electric DART carriages have been allocated. Will the Minister indicated whether it will happen and when it will happen, because it is imperative that it happens? As I said, the impression has been given that it is a done deal. I just want to find out if that is the case. Could the Minister confirm the position for me?