Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government commits to making the metro link happen. I know it has been promised for a long time and I want this to be the Government that at least gets construction under way. It is targeted for 2023 but I will see the relevant Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, this afternoon. I know he is committed to it as well and very keen to see the project completed. I hope that by the time it opens Dublin Airport will be busy again. We would not quite need the capacity now even if we had it but we will need it in future.

I am not aware of the restrictions mentioned by Deputy Carthy being introduced by local authorities. If he wants to pass the details to me or the Minister, Deputy Ryan, we will have them examined. Of course, we want to encourage people to use public buses more but we want it done safely. I would rather see local authorities carrying out work to make this safe than putting in place additional restrictions.

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