Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

——and yet every day we hear that there are tailbacks on the new section of the motorway, which it is not planned to widen. The reality is we are losing competitiveness every day as a result of congestion in this city and every other city and the public is losing patience with the Minister. As a result of these compelling figures about population, has the plan been expanded, adjusted or accelerated to cater for these increases?

Is there anybody in the Government who thinks there will ever be a better time for investment in public transport? Will we be richer than at present? Will there be a greater need than at present? In other words, for what on earth is he waiting to get up and going with the public transport projects?

See this speech in context