Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We can move on then to the other part of the question, which the Minister talked about, regarding the connection between Swords and Dublin. It appears to me these are informed leaks. Maybe they are not. Maybe it is entirely conjecture, as the Minister claims, on the part of numerous media outlets. To those of us who have been around this House for a number of years, we understand how and why certain information ends up on the front page or between the covers of various media publications. It is usually an exercise in softening up.

It appears an effort has been made by the Minister and his Department to get the bad news out and then cushion it next week when he announces the capital plan with all the positives. We have seen this in other ways of how the Government does its business. It now appears the Minister has been minded to follow the same route.

While I accept there has been no announcement and that these decisions will have to be taken at Cabinet level, it is very clear to all of us that have some interest in this area that there appears to be a softening up of public opinion away from a serious investment in the heavy rail option, better known as metro north, and the provision of a comprehensive solution to the needs of commuters in the region.

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