Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy O'Dowd. There is a focus on these four cities because they are cities and because of commitments in the programme for Government. I encourage as many local authorities as possible, in places such as Drogheda, Dundalk and Navan, to consider these opportunities. The scenario has changed fundamentally. The footprint of Cork city, to which Deputy O'Dowd referred, is replicated across the country. The public transport providers, from management to drivers, must come to terms with this and become more flexible in how they provide services to customers.

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