Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The answer to the Deputy's question is "No" and I have no intention of doing so. The city council and the NTA are the principal parties. Obviously, An Bord Pleanála has played another part, but the city council is responsible for what happens. It is responsible for the appeal to An Bord Pleanála. It is responsible, with the NTA, - they are the grown ups - for taking a further decision. I can only inform the Deputy of what I know about the issue, that is, at a council meeting last night a number of councillors stated the project for which permission was refused owing to the board's concerns about the significant negative impact it would have on bus transport and traffic must not be abandoned. It seems the likelihood is that councillors wish to go ahead with a plaza of sorts and respond to the reservations of An Bord Pleanála about the project. One of the councillors, the council's head of traffic, stated last night that there was an urgent need to reconfigure College Green to take account of the increased numbers of pedestrians and cyclists in the area and the new requirement for 55 m Luas cross-city trams. They are taking their responsibilities seriously. Much as I would like to see a result as soon as possible, it is not up to me to become involved in the issue.

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