Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

The planning and legal system is under the Government's responsibility and influence. The staffing of the planning system is a job for the Government. The legal system takes so long because there are not enough staff in the system. It is grinding to a halt and is far slower than those of most other countries. They are not external excuses in terms of delivery of this project.

The Minister made a key point around a government committing funds to this. We have been here before. The most recent economic crash basically stopped the project being built the last time an effort was made to do so. I appeal to the Minister to speak to the NTA because it has given me later indicative dates for completion than he has. He can impress upon it the necessity to have this line opened in 2030 or 2031.

It is important that other projects such as the western rail corridor are proceeded with too. I give credit to Luke Silke and Paul Lawless, who have been fighting for the rail corridor in the west.

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