Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I wish the Minister had referred to it in his speech as part of the Seanad's discussion on transportation in Dublin. He should have told the House whether the Taoiseach was right to say that the metro has been scrapped and will not be pursued. His comments are all we can rely on at this stage. The failure to put in place an efficient public transport system on the north side of Dublin is an example of the neglect of that area. It is not good enough.

I wish to discuss the Minister's regional strategic planning guidelines, which are supposed to lead to sustainable development. I would like the Minister to accompany me on a journey through parts of west and north Dublin, so he can see what the guidelines have done to the area. An Bord Pleanála is granting planning permission in the area on the basis that public transport will be provided. The Minister knows that public transport is not being provided in a way that will adequately deal with the level of development being approved. I encounter problems every day as I travel along the Navan Road on my way to Dublin city. Similar difficulties are found on the north side of Dublin.

Blanchardstown cannot cope with the additional traffic which is passing through it as a result of suburban development on the north side of Dublin and in County Meath. An Bord Pleanála should not grant planning permission in the absence of an adequate public transport system. It has approved the development of 2,000 houses on the site of the former Phoenix Park racecourse and almost 2,000 units in Pelletstown, which is approximately a mile from the Phoenix Park. I could mention several other developments in that area.

The provision of a rail link to the airport is absolutely necessary in the interests of the sustainability of industry and tourism in Dublin and the surrounding region. I ask the Minister to prioritise the establishment of such a link, which could serve towns such as Ballymun and Swords as well as Dublin Airport. A link to Blanchardstown could be provided at the same time.

Dublin will grind to a halt if we do not provide the integrated infrastructure that is necessary. I welcome the improvements on the railway line between Connolly Station and Maynooth, which were mentioned by the Minister. While people recognise that the line has improved and are using it in greater numbers, many more of them would use it if further improvements were made.

I would like to speak about park and ride facilities, which I promoted as a member of Fingal County Council between 1991 and 2002. None of the park and ride services which were earmarked by the council every time it compiled a development plan, has been delivered. If we develop park and ride facilities outside built-up areas, we will encourage those who are travelling in cars to use buses to continue their journeys to the city centre.