Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

It would elucidate the context of what has been said in the past ten years, and explain who has delivered what and who had the interest to set out what a sustainable policy would be and what mechanism was needed to deliver it. That is the reality of Transport 21. We have a framework, unlike most countries, we have the financial resources in place and we have agencies which are delivering.

I was struck by the contribution of Deputy Ó Snodaigh. He is correct that I was in Tralee last week to open a new bus station. In his next sentence, the Deputy claimed we are producing nothing for the delivery of people. I thought that was contradictory given that I had opened a brand new facility for delivery. The Deputy should also realise that, the last time I looked, 2007 was part of the 21st century, although he seems not to think so. That is what Transport 21 is about.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh complained that we need greater capacity to get commuter and intercity trains into Dublin. He is right. While it may not be of much interest to him, the new train station — the first built in Dublin in 100 years — will open next Monday. Its purpose is to alleviate congestion, which is significant in Dublin, particularly at Connolly Station. This station will allow us to operate significantly more commuter services into the capital at peak times, and more intercity services.

Equally, the four-tracking of the Kildare line into Dublin will massively change the commuter belt and access for people in the commuter belt to the heart of the city centre. Within Transport 21, the construction of the interconnector will bring people right to the heart of the city, to St. Stephen's Green. What people forget——

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