Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In dealing with Covid, we have tried to do two things. We have tried to grapple, in some cases, with an infrastructural deficit to try to continue normal life, while at the same time we need to look forward to ensure that the supports that are in place are protected for the security and connectivity of the island.

Let me deal with three sectors. In July, I was delighted when the public consultation period opened for the extension of the Luas green line to Finglas, an area that is exclusively reliant on bus services, which have posed a real challenge during the Covid-19 pandemic. The planned extension of the Luas will see a 4 km track travel through from Tolka Valley Park through Mellowes Road. Some limited objections have been made, which I believe the NTA will address locally. The people of Finglas are very grateful this project has been announced. The difficulty is that the previous Government made much of this, but it remains what is called a post-2027 project in the national development plan.

I do not need to persuade the Minister of the benefits of public transport, which he has championed for many years. I hope that in the review of the national development plan this Government can bring that project forward from a post-2027 project to a much earlier construction date. As I have said, my area is exclusively reliant on bus services from Santry right across to Finglas. The 50% Covid capacity limit has posed a major challenge.

I welcome the Government's plan to live with Covid and the task force for the aviation sector. I urge the Minister to do as much as he can to engage with unions and the airlines to ensure that the long-term connectivity of the island is maintained. I worked in Dublin Airport, which is a fantastic community but it is a very frightened community at the moment. They cannot see hope on the horizon but we can provide it for them.

Taxi drivers are a very important public transport resource. I have raised this issue several times in recent weeks. The Government has indicated it will provide some support or step-down facility to allow self-employed people, in particular, to go back to work with some level of State support. I urge the Minister to do everything he can in his discussions with the other coalition parties and with his Cabinet colleagues. We need taxi drivers in this city. They are an important part of public transport. I urge the Minister to do everything he can on those three issues.

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