Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising these issues. Everybody in the House appreciates the beauty, benefit and importance of Galway as a city not just to the west and north-west regions but as a city of strategic importance to our country. Some of the issues are, quite frankly, related to the local authority and there is no getting away from that, but I accept that not all are.

Of course, local authorities received significant funding. I am not casting aspersions on any local authority, but they need to set out their own priorities in terms of housing schemes, county development plans and the drawing down of Government funding, which is probably at a level never seen before. In my role as a public representative, I see the opportunity for local authorities to draw down and access funding across a wide range of Government schemes to improve cities and counties. Funding is probably as an unparalleled and unprecedented level.

I am also very conscious that Galway is a place in which we are continuing to see job investment. In recent days we saw people deciding to invest in Galway. I will get to the transport issue in a moment but in my ministerial brief, I recognise the significant investment we have seen in regard to education in Galway. Not only do we have the University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University has opened and there are major developments and plans under way including expansion at what was the old rugby club site. There are plans for a college of further education. The Government has not been found wanting when it comes to investment in Galway. Investment has led to significant job creation.

From talking to my colleagues from Galway, I accept there are real issues when it comes to transport, mobility and accessibility around Galway. These are concerns we share. I would certainly take that these concerns to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, without wading into what I know is a very heated view on the ring road and the like. That was struck down by An Bord Pleanála. There had probably been a lot of energy put behind that project.

We share the view that we need a park-and-ride facility and I understand there are also Bus Connects plans. I am very happy to pass on the views of the Deputy on public transport, accessibility and so on to the Minister for Transport. I also suggest that the city council reflect on her comments. I am proud to be in a Government that is providing unparalleled levels of investment to local authorities and unparalleled opportunities for local authorities to draw down and apply for funding from a range of schemes, including in the public transport area.

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