Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We recognise that there has been some investment in some of the airports but key issues are causing great difficulties. One of those is accessibility. We see, in particular, huge problems in Dublin there is not a proper public transport system in and out of airport, apart from a bus terminal. We have a similar situation in Shannon.

Will the Government consider putting rail services into these airports, including running a rail line from Shannon back into Ennis? Will the Government consider running a heavy rail line from Dublin Airport into the city centre, in addition to the metro, which absolutely needs to happen and to be put in place also? We have to recognise that while there is work to be done in respect of climate change emissions, one of the problems we have is that people have to bring their cars almost everywhere they go in this country because we do not have adequate public transport to get people to hubs. Our national airports are hubs that people need to use and will continue to use because we are on an island and we have to recognise that. The Minister is saying that investment is happening but the point is that it is not delivering the results that we need.

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