Seanad debates
Wednesday, 15 October 2003
Public Transport: Motion.
The final point I wish to make is a broader one. We must avoid becoming so immersed – Senator Dooley made this point – in the problems of the greater Dublin area that we lose sight of the larger picture, which is the national spatial strategy. Dublin is not the only city in this country. Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford also need public transport investment. For the €200 million or €300 million talked about to fix the Red Cow roundabout problem, the problems of Cork, Waterford, Galway and Limerick could be fixed in one go. Something that causes some resentment throughout the country is the fact that money appears to be no object when it comes to Dublin but projects like, for example, the Midleton line in Cork has been ongoing for 20 years without a decision. Unless something is done, the same will be the case with Limerick, Shannon and so on. We need a balanced national transport policy that also looks beyond the problems of the greater Dublin area.
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