Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the question. The Government’s position on this issue is clear – we look forward to delivering improved transport and an improved transport network for the people of Waterford, and to continue that over the coming years.

In the city area, those improvements will be introduced in line with the Waterford metropolitan area transport strategy, which sets out a plan-led, evidence-informed basis to improve active travel, public transport and road networks across the metropolitan area in the years ahead. A key component of the strategy will be rolling out BusConnects Waterford in the coming years, and I look forward to seeing that commence, which will build on the improvements introduced a few years ago.

In the wider county area, the Deputy will no doubt acknowledge the substantial progress already made in improving public transport under the Connecting Ireland programme. Connecting Ireland is introducing public transport to towns and villages in Waterford that have never had services before and enhancing service levels in those towns and villages that have services. I look forward to his continued support in that and seeing that progress over the coming years.

On roads, we are supporting the council in the protection and renewal of the existing network and in delivering a new and improved network for the future. An area I will be looking at in the context of the review of the NDP will be to see how we can increase funding towards protection and renewal works, including climate adaptation. This is an area we can improve upon and I will look to accommodate that in the NDP review.

It would be remiss of me to discuss transport infrastructure in Waterford without discussing the north quays project. I have no doubt the Deputy shares my belief - I know he does from our discussions on this - that this will be a truly transformative project for Waterford. From my perspective, it also highlights the type of projects that can be delivered through joined-up thinking and co-ordination across different Government funding sources.

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