Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I dtús, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. This debate about Project Ireland 2040 is about the strategic vision we have for Ireland and, in my case, for Cork. Cork lies at the heart of Project Ireland 2040. I welcome the strong inclusion of Cork and the south in the plan and, as Senator Coffey correctly said, it is important that we focus on delivery of the objectives in the plan. It is extraordinary that the only criticism from Fianna Fáil is of the launch of the plan, not what it includes. The plan is about investing in the regions and putting in place the infrastructure Senator Dolan spoke about and for which we all advocate to deliver for the citizen. This plan is about the future of people and of place. In my case, it is Cork.

This is about planning and developing a sustainable city and county, with a new enlarged city and a new local government structure that will benefit the people in that enhanced city. The €116 billion of investment is about fostering growth beyond the M50. The majority of the plan relates to outside Dublin. In the case of Cork, it puts in place a strategic plan that is tangible and can be delivered by creating a growing city. There is new investment in roads, such as the M28, the M20, the N22 and the Dunkettle roundabout. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments about the MetroLink going through Na Fianna's grounds. I hope An Bord Pleanála will listen to them with regard to the N28 and the proposed motorway in its deliberations on the oral hearing and deliver an alternative to the residents and those of us who support them. We are not against the proposal but against the way in which it was foisted upon the people.

The other important point in Project Ireland 2040 is what is deliverable for healthcare in the south of the country, including new hospitals and a new elective hospital. Senator Gavan spoke about International Workers' Day on the Order of Business and I am sure he will join me in welcoming the new hospitals for Cork. It is the first time a Government has planned to build new hospitals. That is important, along with culture and education. We also must have a conversation about mobility and a city centre movement strategy. I believe we must now develop the question of the relationship we have with the car and our future relationship with public transport. Part of the difficulty is that many of our towns and cities are of a different era when there was little population. Now there is growth and an increase in the use of cars.

We saw that recently with the issue surrounding the mobility strategy for Cork city, under which cars were banned from Patrick Street after 3 p.m. We heard from the traders, who must be listened to, about the potential impact on business. Equally, however, we must examine the city centre movement strategy of the city council, in conjunction with TII, under the overarching concept of how we want our cities to look in the future. That also poses the question of how to combat online trading by our citizens given that we purchase an increasing amount online. How do we see our cities growing? For me, the island that is the city centre of Cork is an important and integral part of Cork. It is not about the suburbs per se, but the island and how we can get people to come into it. The plan for Cork city is ambitious. It is a great growth plan for the expansion of the city, and I welcome that. However, the existential question still remains as to what type of city we want, what relationship there will be between public transport and the car and how we can marry the growth of online activity with the traditional, old style shop in the middle of Cork city. That requires answers and engagement.

The city of Cork is the place where economic activity prospers, and the plan is for growing communities within the city centre. Project Ireland 2040 is ambitious for Cork and I welcome that. It creates an alternative to Dublin which all of us want.