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

Last year we saw the highest number of public transport passenger journeys that we had ever seen. There were about 330 million passenger journeys. The good news is that in the month of August we were up about 10.5% on the comparable month last year. We want to maintain a sustainable and affordable public transport system.

I advise the Deputy not to believe everything he reads in the newspapers in that regard. A balance is required to ensure that we continue investment in our public transport services and also investment in our roads. Along with the Ministers of State, Deputies Buttimer and Canney, later this year I intend to announce the 2026 roads programme, which will be a further increase on what we have been able to do this year. Delivery is key, and delivering faster and more efficiently. That is why the previous Government brought in the planning and development Act, which was opposed by others. That is fair enough. It is their right to do so. It is now about doing this efficiently and getting it done. We all share an absolute view that we need to maintain an affordable and sustainable public transport system for our people.

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