Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is significant feeling in Cork that we have an opportunity to learn from things that were not done right in Dublin over the last 20 or 30 years. We need to ensure, as the city grows rapidly, that it does not do so on the strength of motor traffic, but rather improved public transport. Focusing too much on the short term is a problem, but taking too much of a long-term view can be a problem as well.

There is a danger of adopting an ambitious grand plan which sets many objectives to be achieved eight, ten or 15 years into the future but does not provide for enough action in the next two, three or five years to get people out of their cars and onto buses and walking, cycling, etc. I would like to hear more about how the Minister intends to support that with investment from his Department. I would also like to put to him a proposal that the Cork Chamber of Commerce has put to me. The proposal calls for an NTA oversight delivery office for this strategy. I believe the NTA would be very open to that.

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