Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann," and substitute the following:

"welcomes the significant progress made in recent years to improve transport infrastructure and public transport services in Dublin and supports the continuing actions being taken by the Government to implement an integrated transport plan for the Greater Dublin Area. In this regard, the Seanad:

(a) endorses the progress made in providing a light rail system for Dublin;

(b) backs the prioritisation of investment in a Quality Bus Network for Dublin;

(c) notes the proposals made by the RPA for the provision of a Metro service for Dublin;

(d) welcomes the progress being made in upgrading the national roads network in the Greater Dublin Area and the Government's commitment to maintaining investment in the national roads programme at a high level;

(e) notes the significant investments being undertaken in the suburban rail network in the Greater Dublin Area, including services on the DART and on the Maynooth line;

and

(f) supports the Minister for Transport's proposals for regulatory reform and restructuring of public transport that will deliver better value for money for the customer and the taxpayer.".

I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss the current programme of infrastructural development, particularly in the Dublin region. I thank the Labour Party for giving us the opportunity to set out clearly the level of investment that has taken place. While we take much criticism on this side for what has not been done during the past five or six years, this is an area of which we are proud and I am delighted to address the motion.