Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see further debate on vacancy and dereliction. The Labour Party had a motion on it in the Seanad last night.

I wish to focus on transport, specifically the lack of funding and the systemic issues with have with our infrastructure with respect to both capacity and the supply of services. We have packed buses, packed train carriages, chronic delays and congestion and poor driver behaviour on the road as a result. This crisis is felt countrywide. I experience it and see it every day of the week, living in and representing a commuter constituency in Dublin. Since the return of full-capacity public transport routes after Covid-19 we have seen growing demand for public transport, but the Government is failing those who want to choose the sustainable option. The NTA's statistics show us that in September alone there was 10% growth in the number of people using bus services, which went from 800,000 to 900,000. The public are clamouring for green, climate-friendly and affordable transport routes. One of the key drivers for Ireland to achieve our climate targets will be how we can implement a comprehensive public transport system not just in Dublin and Cork, but across the entire country. We have heard in the past weeks statements from the RSA about how many people in rural Ireland are being pushed to learn to drive not just because they want to but because they have no other option. This Government is failing to deliver on transport infrastructure and this has resulted in people in rural Ireland knowing that if they want to go to work, socialise or do something as simple as going to their nearest shop they need to have a car, as there is no public transport option.

It is deeply concerning to me that when we have finally got to a stage where the plans are there to provide big transport infrastructure, we heard from Anne Graham, chief executive of the NTA, on Tuesday of increasing delays due to a huge hole in the transport infrastructure budget caused by inflation. For example, she said the real value of the active travel programme has been reduced in real terms from €290 million to €190 million. Meanwhile, Exchequer figures to the end of October also show the Department of Transport has failed to spend €209 million in approved capital expenditure, so the budget committed for projects has not kept pace with inflation and the pressures of our growing population and economy, while the Department is not spending the money it already has. The Government is dragging its heels on delivering the type of transport infrastructure projects we need by failing to commit enough spending and the hole in the accounts will build year on year if this is not addressed. It will affect critical transport projects such as MetroLink, which my constituents have been waiting decades for, not to mention the millions of passengers using Dublin Airport. It will also affect a Luas for Cork and BusConnects.

Will the Government admit there is now simply not enough long-term funding for transport projects in the current national development plan? What plans are there to account for inflation so projects will not be needlessly killed off in favour of adding another few million euro to the Minister's rainy day fund? What is the Government doing about this and will the Minister now commit there will not be any further delays to MetroLink, BusConnects or the many active travel projects across the country waiting for spending commitments?

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