Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Ardagh, I wish to raise the issue of BusConnects, which is a major issue here in Dublin. As a matter of priority, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, should come to the Chamber for a full, dedicated debate on the BusConnects issue. The BusConnects plan proposes a redesign of the bus network in Dublin. This was announced in July, conveniently when the Dáil and Seanad had risen. The consultation period was supposed to end on 14 September which, again conveniently, was just before the Dáil and Seanad were due to resume. Fianna Fáil managed to get this consultation period extended by two weeks but that is still not sufficient to get the opinions of everybody in the communities that are badly affected by this redesign, as well as those of the advocacy groups for people with disabilities, learning difficulties, dementia and other issues who use the bus service regularly. The consultation period was very short. There has been unnecessary anxiety and concern in communities because there has been a lack of information from the NTA and the Government on the impact of the plan on people in Dublin. There are very real fears about communities being cut off, about quality of life being severely affected and about a disproportionate impact on the elderly and those with mobility or learning difficulties. In particular, the plan does not take into consideration the needs of a rapidly expanding population in north County Dublin, where I live and which I represent.

It is clear that there needs to be a redesign of the bus network but one needs to consult the people who depend on the buses. It is clear, particularly regarding north County Dublin, that the whole aim of the plan is to get people to use the trains but if one knew anything about commuter trains in north County Dublin one would realise they are operating at capacity. They do not have the capacity to take extra passengers. Many living in north County Dublin cannot access the trains because they live a significant distance from a train station. By having the short period of consultation, the Government, with the NTA, is not taking into consideration the views of the people who use the bus service.

The new bus networks should be linking people and communities with places they want to go, such as universities, hospitals and the airport, not shopping centres. I would really like the Minister to come to the Chamber as soon as possible to have a full, dedicated debate on the BusConnects plan.