Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is true, as the Deputy says, that in looking at any project, the preference is to be able to sit down with the engineer, to have the maps laid out and to be able to engage, which is the way public consultation is increasingly being done in this city and elsewhere. It is important to allow close contact and detailed debate. Unfortunately, that is not possible in the current environment. To be honest, I would be very wary about a lengthy delay with this project. It is vital that this service is developed. We do not know for how long the Covid restrictions will apply. If we were to put off the planning or consultation processes until the end of the restrictions, that could have an impact on a range of different projects. I am nervous about that, although I understand the intention and from where it is coming.

The Deputy is correct that there may be some people who do not have as easy access to webinars and so on. I wonder what do they have. In the context of this particular project and in the area of Coolmine where the problem arises, it seems to be on one of the level crossings, where the proposal for a road bridge over the crossing has serious potential consequences for local residents. The Deputy is raising this matter tonight. His three constituency colleagues have not been shy in coming to me, each in turn, saying that they have views on the matter. As public representatives, it is at this time we can fulfil that role in a particular way when it is possible for us to have access to the webinars and to the information. If there are proposals, be that a new lough as suggested by the Deputy or other options - as I said in my initial response I do not think we should be ruling out options at this stage, we should be looking at all options - perhaps the public representatives, councillors and Deputies, in this particular instance have a chance to represent their constituents, as the Deputy is doing and as his three colleagues have done already, directly with me, and make that case to Irish Rail as part of the consultation process. I think that would be the most appropriate further help the Deputy could give.

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