Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with as many as I can but that will probably be very few. I apologise if that is the case.

Deputy O'Dowd referred to the statement by Mr. Dermot O'Leary, the head of the NBRU, regarding the metro and BusConnects. There will be no go-slow on those projects. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the members of the NBRU for the fantastic job they have done on the front line of transport in recent weeks. It should be acknowledged that the unions have behaved very responsibly up to now and will continue to do so. The members of the workforce have done a great service to the nation at some risk to themselves and I wish to thank them for that. Deputies should be aware that BusConnects is seeking to do exactly what Mr. O'Leary is looking for. MetroLink will open a new high-capacity public transport corridor through the city and into Fingal. I have read that in responding to our new circumstances the answers lie in projects which have already been considered. Most interestingly and incredibly, I have read that this huge multi-billion euro programme can be delivered in five years. All Deputies will agree that we need to expand and improve the capacity of our public transport system, whether to deal with the climate action challenge that will be with us for many years to come or the Covid-19 problems of today.

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