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

Regardless of the Deputy’s own views, and she has taken a position on the ring road, one could discuss the delays and why it has taken so long. People have had their say and there are judicial reviews. That is the planning process. The Deputy mentioned the Department’s own study and the reality that, even if that road was built, it would be under pressure but Galway - the Deputy lives in Galway and I know it extremely well, too - is under ferocious pressure because that road is not built. I am a big supporter of public transport and rail in particular. The national development plan, which we have just concluded the review of, has allocated every one in four euro between now and 2030 towards transport and transport infrastructure and rail, light rail and heavy rail will be a critical part of that. Work is happening within Galway right now that I referenced in my initial response to the Deputy. I understand the need to look at the overall strategy on the basis of what An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision will be in relation to the ring road itself. Even those who may have opposed the road for what they believed were valid reasons would understand that it would be a critical if the road were not to be approved at the end at all. We would then have to look at other options. That is what the Deputy enunciated here this evening, too. I believe that Galway needs that ring road and Galway needs further public transport. It is a vibrant city, a city that I love, and the county too, but it has been choked by traffic. I have many friends there and a daughter who spends every year in the Gaeltacht in south Connemara, so I know it very well. It is about the overall strategy and understanding what the decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála will be. There is BusConnects Galway, the Dublin Road scheme and many other things from Moneenageisha right the way through, so there are good things happening but the decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála will be fundamental to the decision on how we move forward.

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