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

I will try to answer all of the questions. I will begin with Deputy Ó Murchú's questions. The next Government and the one after it will have to recognise that we do not have the funding for everything. We are going to have to make some hard choices. To my mind, the choice should continue to be the prioritisation of public transport. The real benefit is that it will bring us housing development that is sustainable and more economic and in line with the national planning framework. We have to invest in public transport to make our housing solutions work. This means making hard choices. We should favour the rail, bus and active travel options.

I very much appreciate and support what Deputy Ó Cuív said. He said if we are going to look at the next ten years now, in the first five years we should focus on the quick wins, such as putting in passing loops throughout the country.

These would enhance existing capacity at a relatively low cost and a relatively quick speed.

I thought clearance had already started on the line from Claremorris to Athenry. I will have to check that.

See this speech in context