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

First, there was a huge expansion in our capital ambition, in particular in regard to investments in transport for which I have responsibility in the NDP. We got an allocation of €35 billion which I think actually exceeds the allocation for housing. Two Departments were prioritised by the Government. One was housing and the other, on the capital side, was the transport sector. There is €100 billion worth of projects. Even back then there was €100 billion of projects in development and planning. We will not be able to deliver all €100 billion worth in the timeframe of the existing NDP. That is why I think the 30-year horizon that is being taken by the strategic rail review is more effective. We must be honest and say it will take a number of decades.

In terms of actual delivery, most Deputies in this House would recognise that nothing has been as successful as the Connecting Ireland facility in enhancing and supporting public transport in rural Ireland. I go around the country a lot. I have visited every single county and I have talked to councils. They all say that it is has been an incredible success. It has been a game-changer in terms of the capability of rural public transport systems to work and it has demonstrated an incredible public popularity for them.

However, going beyond that, as I said last week, I will take one example of the various projects, the TEN-T project in Donegal. Of all the counties, the one that has been most disadvantaged by a lack of connectivity is Donegal. It stands out in a whole variety of different ways. In that regard-----

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