Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Tánaiste's positive comments. However, Galway's population is destined to grow from 80,000 to 120,000. With regard to development within the footprint of the city, the Tánaiste would have to accept that allowing that to happen without a master plan for the common good is simply madness.

I appreciate the Government's commitments on climate change and the reduction of carbon emissions, although it is not meeting them. However, in Galway we are planning another road with more cars that the city cannot cope with in the foreseeable future. We need to look at an alternative model. Light rail would fit in to the idea of intensive development within the city but that will not happen without a push from the Government. I was there when we looked at an outer bypass that went nowhere but down a cul-de-sac. That was difficult enough to watch but, at the same time, there was no commitment to sustainable transport. In 2005 we put park and ride in the city development plan, and I had the privilege of being mayor when that happened. We fought tooth and nail to put it in against management, who thought it was premature. As a result of their view that it was premature, we still do not have park and ride in 2018 and there is serious traffic congestion.

More roads is not the answer. We need a master plan and to consider light rail. I do not believe Cork asked for light rail yet it will be considered, whereas Galway has been begging for it through its people. More than 22,000 people from a population of just under 80,000 have asked for light rail.

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