Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

In the bigger picture, the NTA is not fit for purpose. We have heard about route 26 turning into the route 80 disaster that is affecting Palmerstown and especially Chapelizod. This may be reviewed, but I did a survey of 2,700 bus users who were all wary of it from day 1. I had a meeting with the chief executive but nothing was done at the time. The C2 bus spent so long down a temporary route that all the new houses were built alongside it and a new route is needed that incorporates the L25. The abolition of route 13 in Clondalkin is causing major concerns for certain estates, especially for school kids.

It goes on and on but the big picture is the NTA has absolutely no accountability. You raise an issue with the Minister for Transport, who says it is an operational matter for the NTA, but if you are trying to have political input and do not want political patronage, you need an input and an NTA that listens to the elected representatives who are representing the people on the ground and makes changes. However, it is not making the changes and it is not listening. There is an arrogance there.

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