Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

If the Deputy wants me to answer the question, then I will do so. Does the proposal of the development of the metro and the many other proposals present solutions for north Dublin? The answer is that they do. However, I want to get the best solution, which is that which marries all of the different proposals together. We do not want to cherry-pick the sexy metro as a solution to everything. There are issues relating to interconnectivity with Dublin, for the DART and the lines from Maynooth, Kildare, Drogheda and so on. There are issues relating to capacity on the existing lines and stations. When I announce these proposals on behalf of the Government, I will face Opposition Deputies who will ask these questions. I want to make sure that my proposals can be delivered and are not idealistic.

I accept what the Deputy said about my Minister of State. I am blessed to have such an enthusiastic Minister of State. His commitment sometimes overruns with enthusiasm. Some of his recent pronouncements to the Fourth Estate are just guess work and are not based on any fact. I am sure he will join with me in supporting our proposals enthusiastically when they are made public.

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