Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Geoghegan for his contribution and ongoing interest in this very important issue. The Deputy is correct. As a member of Dublin City Council, he championed the 15-minute city concept. I fully subscribe to what he said about capital investment in infrastructure, housing and transport, as does the Government.

On the current developments, the National Transport Authority has instructed Transport Infrastructure Ireland to undertake a pre-feasibility analysis of the Luas to Poolbeg project. This analysis will determine the initial feasibility of the project from a passenger demand viewpoint, as stated in the national development plan. The TII, as the project sponsoring agency, and the NTA, as the day-to-day approving authority, will continue with the appraisal and planning of the Luas to Poolbeg project, while the development of the red line Luas extension to serve Poolbeg is currently one of the long-term proposals in the NTA greater Dublin area transport strategy for the 20-year period 2022 to 2042.

It is recognised that the transport needs of Poolbeg will need to be met in the short, medium and long term. I acknowledge that the population will grow significantly in the coming years, as the Deputy pointed out, and that an increased provision of public transport will be needed for the area. I reiterate that the proposed extension of the Luas to Poolbeg is only one of a number of projects identified in the greater Dublin area transport strategy to significantly improve the combined light rail and heavy rail network by 2042.

I assure Deputy Geoghegan that projects will be progressed in line with the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines. The public consultation processes will be undertaken at appropriate stages as the projects are assigned. I understand fully the merits of the proposed Luas red line to Poolbeg, as does the Government.

The Deputy is right on the issue of stop-start. Next Monday, we will see the unfurling of the Luas in Cork proposals by the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and me in the Department of Transport. This indicates the importance of the point the Deputy has raised. The Department is very much aware of the needs but also wants to accelerate the provision of transport infrastructure for the future and to work with TII, the NTA and Members of the Oireachtas in that regard.

I thank Deputy Geoghegan for his contribution and look forward to working with him to prioritise this project.

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