Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am absolutely sure because I asked those very questions and I compared it with our nearest neighbour, Britain, and how it would look to someone who was very used to going to Britain and tapping on and off. I am informed our system will be an advance of what you see in operation in London. The account based option will also be there for people. Right now, there are apps, such as the Transport for Ireland app, where people can use that app on their phone to tap on and tap off. Obviously, all of us - including me - have Leap cards. We have to keep that system operational while we are rolling out the new one. On a value for money basis, I am assured the proper due diligence was done by my predecessor and by the Department with the awarding of that contract. This is a company and organisation that has delivered this type of ticketing system in other jurisdictions as well. I am assured it is the most up-to-date technology that is updatable into the future as well.

It will make a significant leap forward in our public transport offering, particularly for those who are visiting the country. I agree with the Deputy on that. In other jurisdictions, people are used to being able to use ticketing systems like this. The good thing is the work is the under way. It is happening. The phase 1 rollout is summer to autumn 2027.