Dáil debates

Thursday, 28 June 2007

4:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Minister, being from the neighbouring constituency, will be aware of the major infrastructural deficit in Dublin North generally, affecting schools, policing, roads and public transport. Allowing Dublin Port to make a decision in isolation should not be allowed because of its impact on the local road and rail infrastructure. Currently in Moylaragh in Balbriggan, children are living in what they believe to be their estate, although 40-foot lorries are using the road through it to make deliveries to one of the major superstores in the area. There is no alternative road access to the store. Parents are at their wits' end regarding the safety of their children and themselves. We do not want this to be repeated.

I am given to understand that Fingal County Council will be very supportive of the development of Bremore, but we do not want to see another development that does not have the infrastructure necessary for it to function such that, instead of becoming an asset to the area, it would become a major headache and cause a deterioration in the quality of life for all who live there.

Will the Minister ensure, before he has the line electrified, there are so-called nipper buses and proper car parking at the stations? There are six stations in Dublin North and they all suffer from the same problem of inaccessibility. Ludicrously — this may not relate directly to the Minister but to one of his colleagues — a local farmer who applied for planning permission for a badly needed car park had his application turned down two years ago on the grounds of prematurity. There are people parking on the roads and being clamped and they are parking in farmers' fields if the gates are left open. It is mayhem. I was in the area at 7 a.m. and noted that if one was not there by 7.10 a.m., one would not get a car space. There are women with children fighting with one another. This causes great stress and, God knows, people are stressed enough. I hope the Minister will ensure, during the course of this development, these issues are addressed urgently, even before the rail line is electrified.

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