Seanad debates

Thursday, 8 October 2009

Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

11:00 am

Photo of Ciarán CannonCiarán Cannon (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. From the general thrust of his comments and those of his ministerial colleagues when discussing this legislation, this national transport authority will be toothless and powerless and will not achieve what the legislation sets out to do. I cannot understand the distinction that has been made between the greater Dublin area and the rest of the country. Only 4 million people live here and it does not make sense to propose that the country's transport requirements change utterly when one reaches Leixlip. As a small nation of 4 million people, this is our first opportunity to integrate fully all our public transport systems and to conduct the requisite research, right down to local area plan level, to establish what are these needs. However, to set aside what is happening in the greater Dublin area on the grounds that it is unique and does not have an impact on what is happening elsewhere in the country is unwise and foolish. As I can judge from the Minister of State's response that there will be no change of heart in this regard, that is all I have to say on this matter.

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