Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I endorse the laudatory comments made by Deputy Finian McGrath on the virtues of Griffith Avenue and surrounding areas. The importance of Transport 21 is that for the first time here we see a critical shift in transport policy, away from roads towards public transport. In this regard, I make no secret of the fact that we in the Dublin North-West constituency welcome the initiative taken by the Government as part of its programme for metro north. We are impressed by the remarkable speed with which decisions have been taken.

The alignment of the route has been agreed and while further discussions must take place, the principle has been established that we will have a high quality, high speed rail link from St. Stephen's Green. The line will link with a station under O'Connell Bridge and Parnell Square and serve areas like the Mater Hospital, Drumcondra, Griffith Avenue and Dublin City University. Critically, it will also pass through Ballymun, the greatest rejuvenation project in the European Union, serve Dublin Airport where there will be a station under terminal two which has already begun construction and run on to the Pavilion shopping centre in Swords and beyond. This project has significant importance for the country and is a good example of how an integrated transport policy can work.

Deputy Finian McGrath raised some valid issues. We have learned lessons from building roads. Equally, we have learned lessons from building the port tunnel. Undoubtedly, the question of better consultation and engagement with residents is important. I urge the Minister in his discussions on the furtherance of this project with the RPA to look at how the project can be brought on stream in the fastest possible time by, as far as possible, tunnelling on a 24-hour basis. We have learned that it is irritating for residents to have a boring machine working beneath them for two or three weeks when a number of days would suffice if the work was done on a 24-hour basis.

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