Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The last line of the Minister's response sets out the stark reality that faces us, and there are other implications for infrastructure throughout the city and surrounding it in terms of finding an appropriate solution. While I have much regard for what the NTA is doing, it requires action at Government level to ensure the appropriate funding is in place and this will dictate the options that are open for consideration. In the short term, the bus rapid transit option is, perhaps, an appropriate measure to deal with the immediate need, the Government will have to proceed relatively quickly to ensure there is a rail option. It is the only long-term solution that will provide the appropriate level of connectivity and meet the demand the NRA expects. I would like the Minister to set out, in a clear and concise way, a definitive timeframe during which these projects will begin. While we understand the necessity to do value for money studies, we can never again allow a backlog in the roll-out of infrastructure, a problem which arose as a result of the failure on the part of successive Governments to proceed with investment at the appropriate time. It is important that we drive these projects towards commencement.

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