Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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I firmly believe that the process involved in selecting the preferred options and the consultation process are significantly flawed. I will give a couple of examples. First, I welcome the DART+ Maynooth–Dunboyne line. There is no doubt that the rail transport system for the whole community along that line will be transformed. I did not receive a single email, telephone call or submission in opposition to the project. There is considerable support for it. The benefits of the DART line will certainly be significant but, as with all major infrastructural projects, there will be a major impact on communities. Some impacts will be significant and others less so. With regard to a number of estates along the new DART line, the impact on the associated communities, families and homes will be significant. The most impactful measures will be the closure of the Coolmine level crossing and Irish Rail's preferred option, that is, building a bridge between St. Mochta's estate and Riverwood.

Let me give to examples. During my recent review of the documentation, I noticed that the option of going under the Coolmine crossing was ruled out because of the height of the canal. However, when I asked those concerned to consider a lock system, I was really surprised to hear it was not proposed to the consultants and that if I put in a submission, it would be considered. I am not an engineer but I believe the whole community is a wee bit puzzled because the consultants did not consider a drop-lock or similar system used on canals across the world. This really needs to be considered.

Another major issue was the consultation process itself. I acknowledge that Irish Rail has, following strong representations from many in the community, extended its deadline for the consultation process twice. The latest extension is until 21 October. However, we are to be subject to level 3 Covid restrictions for a number of weeks and it looks very likely that these will continue for some time beyond 21 October. This means that only those who are tech savvy can take part in the process. It also means that it will not be possible to engage in the essential type of consultation processes that would normally take place between Irish Rail, Deputies, councillors and communities, with organised public meetings at which large maps, hard copies of relevant documentation and detailed plans would be made available. We cannot overstate the importance of being able to look at hard copies of a map and plans and call a person over to ask him or her what something is, where such a line goes or where a certain road leads to, for example. It is important that we get this wonderful project developed and on-stream as quickly as possible, but not at any cost. Once the preferred options are chosen, there will be no way back for the people, except through the High Court.

On behalf of the hundreds of people, especially those who are not tech savvy - including some older people and others who are unable to use Zoom or have meetings on Teams and who will be very much affected - I ask the Minister to ask Irish Rail to hold off until we can have physical meetings and are able to look across a table at those proposing the project so the community can ask the officials the hard questions.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue. The short answer to the question is "Yes" in that every option regarding level crossings on the new DART+ line to Maynooth should be given due consideration.

I will start by taking the opportunity to update the House generally on the progress of the DART+ programme. The programme for Government commits to a fundamental change to the nature of transport in the State. If we are serious about delivering the type of change we need, we will need big, transformative projects such as DART+. That is not to minimise people's concerns about possible impacts or to dismiss their views about particular aspects but it is to make a clear statement of policy support for DART+ and such projects. I have heard the Deputy support DART+, which I very much welcome. I hope and believe that support is given by every Member of this House. People want to see this project built.

For those who are unaware, DART+ will effectively double the capacity of the existing network. It will see the introduction of DART-level services on the Maynooth-Dunboyne, northern and Kildare lines, providing a sustainable, reliable and frequent service across much of the greater Dublin area. If we want to see more people make the switch to more sustainable modes of transport, we must see big projects such as DART+ succeed.

I was delighted to be able to launch the public consultation on DART+ over the summer and I look forward to seeing progress made on the project during the lifetime of this Government. I recognise that major projects such as this can have impacts that not everybody will welcome and I absolutely recognise that the issue of level crossings, as in this instance, has to be considered carefully owing to the potential impact.

Among the documents published as part of the public consultation process is a preliminary option selection report. It sets out in detail the approach taken when considering level crossings. At the very basic level, the general approach is to consider a long list of possible options and then, using multi-criteria analysis, sift through them to create a shortlist of the preferred options for detailed consideration. Therefore, for each level crossing, the report details a range of options to be considered. For some level crossings, up to nine or ten options can be set out, and the pros and cons of each is described.

I understand that, during the public consultation process, some residents suggested there were options ruled out that should have been brought forward for detailed consideration. While I will leave the detailed options analysis to the experts, I believe it is clear that level crossings are a constraint in introducing the type of high-frequency train services we are seeking to introduce with DART+.

The reality is that if we were to keep the level crossings, service frequency would be severely restricted, causing traffic difficulties in the area. I would like to think that we can all agree that the issues need to be tackled somehow, even if there may be disagreement on some of the detail of the how.

This initial consultation process is scheduled to close later this month, having been extended, as mentioned by the Deputy. Iarnród Éireann will then consider submissions received and decide upon the preferred route. During the statutory planning process, members of the public will again have an opportunity to make their voices heard. Next year, I expect Government approval of the preliminary business case for what will be the largest ever investment in our railway network and I look forward to the support of the House as we look to improve this important public service.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister. I am a little disappointed in that there is no commitment to ask Irish Rail to hold off until that meeting can be held. I accept that we are not living in normal circumstances, but this is important. This is a major project and we cannot get it wrong.

I would like to mention a couple of things. The Fingal County Development Plan 2017-2023 includes two local objectives. I worked on that plan, and that work commenced in 2014-2015. The objectives are to preserve the existing pedestrian or vehicle right of way at Coolmine level crossing and to prohibit any road bridge across the train line at the canal and Riverwood station court. There are a number of questions being asked by myself and by local people. For example, how do we encourage people to make submissions to county development plans in good faith and tell them that their voices matter and will be heard? How do we encourage councillors - this applies also to strategic housing developments and other legislation that is being brought in that overrides the county development plans - and convince people to spend hours, often days, on county development plans when they can be overridden?

There is another issue I would like to raise. We need to create a level playing field for local communities versus large organisations, be they State or corporate in nature. The webinar was held by Irish Rail engineers and experts. They have the funding, a budget of €2.6 billion, to hire the best minds in the country. What do the people have? They have nothing but their own resources. They have no expertise and they cannot call on expertise unless they can pay for it. In terms of the strategic housing development at the Brady's Castleknock Inn site, people spent thousands of euro to get professional help. Will the Minister give consideration to the provision of funding for communities like Riverwood, St. Mochta's and others along the DART railway line, and in respect of strategic housing developments, to enable them to get the professional help that the other side always has? The latter have deeper pockets than the people. These are huge projects, costing billions of euro.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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It is true, as the Deputy says, that in looking at any project, the preference is to be able to sit down with the engineer, to have the maps laid out and to be able to engage, which is the way public consultation is increasingly being done in this city and elsewhere. It is important to allow close contact and detailed debate. Unfortunately, that is not possible in the current environment. To be honest, I would be very wary about a lengthy delay with this project. It is vital that this service is developed. We do not know for how long the Covid restrictions will apply. If we were to put off the planning or consultation processes until the end of the restrictions, that could have an impact on a range of different projects. I am nervous about that, although I understand the intention and from where it is coming.

The Deputy is correct that there may be some people who do not have as easy access to webinars and so on. I wonder what do they have. In the context of this particular project and in the area of Coolmine where the problem arises, it seems to be on one of the level crossings, where the proposal for a road bridge over the crossing has serious potential consequences for local residents. The Deputy is raising this matter tonight. His three constituency colleagues have not been shy in coming to me, each in turn, saying that they have views on the matter. As public representatives, it is at this time we can fulfil that role in a particular way when it is possible for us to have access to the webinars and to the information. If there are proposals, be that a new lough as suggested by the Deputy or other options - as I said in my initial response I do not think we should be ruling out options at this stage, we should be looking at all options - perhaps the public representatives, councillors and Deputies, in this particular instance have a chance to represent their constituents, as the Deputy is doing and as his three colleagues have done already, directly with me, and make that case to Irish Rail as part of the consultation process. I think that would be the most appropriate further help the Deputy could give.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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Can we have a conversation about putting in place funding for professional help for local communities?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I think that is a very good idea. I hope Irish Rail might consider it as part of its consultation process, which has to be done in very exceptional times.