Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand the frustration that some people outside Dublin feel. The view is that maybe the Dublin area gets undue attention and some believe it gets disproportionate funds. While I do not think that is the case, I can understand why some hold that view. When high-profile projects like Luas cross-city and others come along - the metro north project probably will not be coming along for another ten years - perhaps some people associated with regional cities believe they are somewhat neglected.Perhaps I should repeat the figures. The NTA allocated funding of more than €15 million to Cork city and county councils between 2014 and 2016, of which €11.7 million went to Cork City Council and €3.6 million to Cork County Council. In excess of €5 million has been provisionally allocated by the NTA to Cork city and county councils under the regional cities programme. The council to which the Senator referred approved the overall city centre movement strategy last year or the year before. Phases 1 and 2 are already at construction in 2017.

A battle for funds is inevitable between the main cities. Dublin is bigger, and therefore congestion is worse here. I take the Senator's point. I was in Cork the other day and became very aware of the congestion that is prevalent there. However, the scale of the problem in Dublin is much greater. We will address the issue of Cork in as equitable a way as possible, particularly in the mid-term capital review.