Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The Department has agreed with the Limerick local authorities that the terms of reference of the land use and transportation study will include this study on light rail transit and rapid bus transit. Not much progress has been made on priority or quality bus corridors. The council is willing but the public is not responding. Much work remains to be done.

I have not examined the detail of the proposal but I am committed to seeing these studies finished and action happening. In anticipation of an increase in population the area strategic plan of Cork is being updated and will be completed by July 2008. That will give Cork an opportunity for new public transport systems.

I was impressed with Galway because the local authorities have a clear idea of where to go. We referred previously to the bus strategy. A dedicated unit has been set up to make progress on the issue and is part financed by my Department. I asked officials in my Department to invite the four managers to my Department to let them know my commitment to this issue.

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