Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is to address poor planning by the Victorians who failed to connect the two rail lines. When the lines were built more than 150 years ago, the city had a much smaller population. It is essential, however, in the 21st century that we get whatever we propose right and ensure it is affordable. It would be difficult for the Government to afford both projects at the same time. While I am pleased from my constituents' perspective that capital investment to the tune of several billion euro will be made in a public transport project in the next six, eight or ten years, it will be necessary in the longer term to address connectivity across Dublin.

The funding sources for the proposed projects will be of critical importance. I would hate the Department to write a large cheque to the National Transport Authority or whichever body is responsible for delivering the proposal for the north Dublin corridor to pay the costs of planning and subsequently fail to follow through and provide every cent that is required to deliver the service that is selected.

As I indicated, this is a largely technical Bill. It also provides for some changes to the regulation of taxis and I am pleased to note that provisions on the small public service vehicle regulations will be underpinned in secondary legislation.

To return to my point on the journey times of commuters, it takes a person boarding a DART in Malahide 28 minutes to reach the River Liffey at Tara Street. If a commuter in Swords requires more than 35 minutes to reach the same destination following the completion of the proposed metro project, it will be viewed as something of a let-down for the north county. The sums involved - billions of euro - mean this is likely be the largest ever capital investment by the State.

Deputy Clare Daly made a point about investment in the motorway network. It is very easy for Deputies from Dublin to make the types of comments the Deputy made. She fails to accept the critical importance of connecting all four corners of the country and not only to Dublin. It is as important as investing in rail infrastructure to ensure we are capable of meeting the demands of the growing population.

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