Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I realise that the Minister is trying to do his best. However, the officials are operating in a vacuum. There is no updated strategy. We declared a climate emergency in 2019 and we still have no updated strategy. Light rail was not mentioned in the Minister’s reply. If he is putting on the record now that a light rail feasibility study is part of the review, I welcome that, but I do not see it.

The lack of a park and ride is inexplicable and scandalous. The councillors did their job in 2005. They continue to do their job and they demand a park and ride for both sides of the city. The NTA did not follow that, having taken on the mantle from Galway City Council, but the council should have done its job in the first place. The NTA is now delaying the matter. In fact, it was even delaying in replying to a parliamentary question I tabled in July. I am not here to personalise; I am here to say the people of Galway are way ahead of us. The Minister knows that they signed a petition many years ago, which I had the privilege of leading. A total of 24,000 people were simply looking for a feasibility study for light rail. Finally, the composition of the review is essential to give confidence to us that that the number of experts there will examine these different aspects. The NTA has already said "No" to light rail.

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