Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I highlight this morning's report in The Irish Timeswhich claims that the Luas link from Broombridge to the airport is emerging as the most likely option to be chosen under the north Dublin transport study. This is potentially good news for commuters in and around the Ashtown and Navan Road area, as it will see them having a close, frequent link with the airport and Swords, in addition to the city centre.Historically, the west and north west of the city have been under-served in terms of public transport. I welcome that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport aims to tackle this situation during his time in office. In this regard, it is important that any potential tunnelling under Glasnevin Cemetery is, given its status, handled with great sensitivity and care and that actual work, beyond consultation, begins before the end of term of this Government. From what I can gather people on the north side of the city are fed up with transport studies, consultation documents, White Papers, Green Papers and so on. What they want to see is shovels on the ground and real progress instead of pipe dreams. The Minister has the opportunity to do this. There is no logistical reason in terms of construction that this project could not be undertaken in parallel with the Luas cross-city project. All told, I welcome the report and hope it is indeed indicative of the Minister's own thoughts on the matter.