Eileen Flynn (Independent)

I thank the witnesses for being here. This is a very new committee. It is great to have the Department in this evening. I am sure we will have it in many times over the next five years.

I want to raise something that came up in the Seanad last year.

It is different but still I think the Department does have a responsibility with the Planning and Development Act, which at more than 700 pages was one of the biggest pieces of legislation ever to go through the Houses. For me, the Government not supporting disability rights and Traveller accommodation was disheartening. To be a member of this committee is a glimpse of inclusion. Mr. Moloney has said himself that some people and communities feel powerless when it comes to being included in infrastructure and what is going on in their communities. I know the public consultation launches in June. How will marginalised communities, including Travellers, be actively engaged to ensure their needs shape the project? There are refugees, migrants and people with disabilities. We have seen in a lot of working-class communities where people most impacted by what goes up beside them are usually not included. That is one of my questions. Another question is when the remaining section of the western rail corridor will be assessed for inclusion in the national development plan. What criteria guide all rail investment in the west?