Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)

I thank the Minister for the comprehensive answer. Unfortunately, there is no park-and-ride facility in Galway even though it went into the plan 20 years ago on 1 February 2005. It has simply never been rolled out. On a feasibility study for light rail, we collected 24,000 signatures. I forget which year it was, it is so long ago now, but it was 2017 or 2018. It took until last year to get the feasibility study - I want to thank the previous Minister for that - but now the Minister is telling me nothing will happen in that regard except we are going to wait for the plan that cannot be done until we get a decision from An Bord Pleanála. It is since 1999, when I became a councillor, that I have been listening about an outer bypass. I have my own views about that and have taken a decision in relation to that but I have always put forward other solutions. It was 1999 when I was elected. It is now 2025 and there is not a sign of the outer bypass.

Of increased transport demand, the study by the Department of Transport tells us:

... will eventually result in the bypass becoming congested without further intervention. While traffic flows will become lighter [... it] will remain a challenge ... while the overall level of congestion in the city will rise given the higher volume ...

That is the Department of Transport study telling us that even with another road, we are going to be in trouble. Transformative action is needed. That is what we need since declaring a climate emergency. We are not getting transformative action. What we are getting is delays. An Bord Pleanála failed to look at the climate legislation. That is why its decision was quashed by agreement. It failed to look at the climate plan and it had to go back to basics, which is where the matter is now. I have great concerns that when it looks at the climate implications, there will be serious problems. We need a plan that is sustainable. One of the simplest ways of that part is to roll out light rail on the western side of the city.

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