We learned recently from a meeting with the National Transport Authority, NTA, that the DART will be extended to Celbridge by 2021, which is an extremely positive development. The location of this land will provide clear access to the M7 in Naas and on to the M50 and a very accessible route to the M4. It is beside amenities such as the Celbridge GAA club, the tennis club, schools etc. The local area plan, which has just been approved by the local councillors and by the Minister of State's Department, has identified this land as an area for key strategic development. When we discussed this matter in July we sought that the Minister of State's officials would engage with Kildare County Council and ask it to engage with the landowners to progress the master plan, which in turn, it is hoped, would lead to development of those lands sooner rather than later given the current crisis, the need for housing and the location of this land, which is not depending on infrastructure. It is almost ready to go but the master plan has to be agreed between all parties, particularly Kildare County Council, the Department and the landowners.

To the best of my knowledge, the Department has not issued that letter of comfort, instruction or detail to the local authority to engage on that as of yet. I had hoped in this discussion today that consideration could be given to how soon that correspondence can issue from the Department to Kildare County Council to get it to engage with the landowners to progress the master plan for this area, which in turn will progress the development of housing, which is greatly needed in this area. I ask that we discuss that and get a timeline for it. At the same time, I acknowledge again the positive work the Minister of State has done in progressing the funding to help deliver the second bridge for Celbridge.

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