Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister who I appreciate has had negotiations with the NTA on this matter. It is clear that he is on top of the issue which he is approaching with sufficient gravity and seriousness. It is interesting that the NTA uses the phrase "indicative routes" for the mid-way plan it announced on Tuesday. It also used the phrase in describing the recent metro plans, except that in that case, while there was great dissatisfaction at the length of time the affected stakeholders - owners of properties along the route - had been given, they were told about the indicative plans. If owners of properties along the metro route were informed of indicative plans, surely it is inconsistent that those who potentially will be affected on the Bus Connects routes are not. Of course, the Minister is correct that, by their nature, indicative plans can be changed, particularly when 16 routes are being planned in parallel and I acknowledge that it is entirely possible that many, perhaps even all, of the routes will change somewhat as the public consultation process gathers steam. However, I believe one critical component, regrettably, has been overlooked in the NTA's communication. Significant numbers of people have been upset. The No. 44 bus links the Minister's home area of Enniskerry with mine. I wonder if I were to hop on the No. 44 bus to Enniskerry tomorrow morning to knock on 100 doors and tell 100 people that roughly 5% of them would lose their gardens, would they be concerned, upset, distressed and alarmed. That is effectively what has happened. There are 20,000 properties along the 16 routes and we were told a specific number of owners, 1,300, or between 5% and 7%. would lose a portion of their property. The question is outstanding and one we will have to put to the NTA when its representatives are before the transport committee next week. Nevertheless, I appreciate the level of engagement and the fact that the Minister has pointed out that it is a radical plan, which it is. Dublin needs such a radical plan to deal with public transport issues. I have full confidence that the Minster is aware of how cohesive that plan needs to be and hope that in coming years we will manage to deliver on it.

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