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

I agree it takes us too long to build public transport projects and all projects in this State. Our planning and legal system and other elements are part of the problem. The timescale the Deputy mentioned is far too long. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that we could and should have a railway order by 2027 and can start construction after that. Construction would take three to four years. We should be aiming for the early part of the next decade - 2031 or 2032 - rather than later in the decade, as the Deputy seemed to suggest.

The challenges to that are various. Local opposition can be among the biggest difficulties. People have the right to oppose and contest any development. That is often the biggest reason for delay. A second difficulty is budget allocation. We have many public transport projects awaiting approval and starting to come through approval, including tripling the DART system, Cork metropolitan rail, Limerick metropolitan rail and the metro. The Navan rail line is essential and key within that. Whichever government follows this one will have to ensure the finance is available, and that means prioritising this over other projects.

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