Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy D'Arcy. I have been disappointed with the lack of progress on precisely the kind of park and ride facilities he mentioned. I am not sure that the study completed in 2002, which seemed to pour a little cold water on the idea of bus-based park and rides, still holds true at this stage and I have asked officials in the Department to examine this matter. We all come from the greater Dublin area, one way or another, and given the increase in population and traffic, the issue should be revisited.

The committee questioned the county managers recently. I would dearly like to see more park and ride facilities in the vicinity of Dublin, even as far out as Deputy D'Arcy suggests. People do not want to sit in their cars for a period of time. If one can get to a bus, rail or Luas station, such facilities should be available. People will leave their cars there and as the transport system improves in the city, including with buses, they will increasingly use such facilities.

One element of it is park and ride and when those facilities are available where the Deputy suggests, one needs the frequent regular bus service that uses the bus lanes. Once people have that certainty, they will move forward.

South County Dublin County Council submitted a significant application for a park and ride facility but it was shot down because it was not in accordance with the development plan. I was disappointed, but it was a matter for the board which had its reasons. I agree with the Deputy that we need to fast-track this issue.

See this speech in context