Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The C spine is up and running in Lucan. It has been a very big change and there are definitely still some teething problems but, by and large, many people have felt the benefit of it. The night-time schedule has been especially welcome. People who have not felt the benefit are those used to having a bus service to the city centre but no longer do so. I am talking about people living in places such as Doddsborough, Hillcrest and Laraghcon. Those of us who use the C spine, especially during rush hour or on busy weekends when there are concerts in town or matches, can clearly see that there is still a need for better frequency on the route. However, the fundamental concern I have is that areas that had a direct link to the city centre are now underserved, to put it mildly. That is not progressive. It is regressive. Senator Currie and I had a number of meetings with representatives from the NTA but it was not meaningful engagement because the bottom line is that nothing has changed for those residents. They still do not have a service and neither do the people who were promised the W8 orbital route, such as those working in Greenogue or Citywest or those living in Saggart, Newcastle or Rathcoole who may be going to college in Maynooth or Tallaght, because that service is yet again being delayed. Will the Minister of State give me an update on this for my constituents?

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