John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be joined by my colleague, Deputy O'Callaghan, and our transport spokesperson, Deputy Troy. One area in which we would like and welcome reprofiling is that of the MetroLink project, albeit not in respect of metro north, as we have made clear. In spite of the commitments that the Minister gave two weeks ago during a Topical Issue debate that there would be no deviation in the MetroLink project, clearly that is now on the cards, and we on this side of the House are taking the opportunity to welcome it.

While this Topical Issue mentions specific towns, villages and townlands like Firhouse, Knocklyon, Rathfarnham, Templeogue and Greenhills, the link that we would like to see pursued could not reach those places without first going through Terenure, Harold's Cross and Rathmines, for example. My colleague will address that issue.

Investment in public transport infrastructure projects ought to be democratic. There are parts of Dublin that are well served with the green Luas line, the best and most successful quality bus corridor, QBC, in the country and the DART line. Then there is a vast gap between the green and red lines of the Luas where no adequate public transport is promised. It is a part of Dublin that the Minister served for five years while he was a Deputy.

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