Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for all his notices and notifications about transport in Dublin. There is a bit of a mix-up because the Seanad schedule listed statements on transport and sport in general. While I welcome the announcements for Dublin, the extra train carriages and high-speed trains to connect Dublin with the regions, I will raise issues that I have raised in the past with the Minister.

On 2 July, we had a debate here on the Limerick-Shannon metro link. I was informed then that there would be public consultation in the latter part of this year. On 7 November, I contacted the NTA to find out where that update was and was told that the consultation would not take place until the first quarter of 2020. It is really disappointing to find that while there have been announcements about transport for Dublin and Cork, there have been none for Limerick as the third largest city. I know the Minister's commitment because he has been down to visit the area and was recently in Shannon Airport. Much good is happening in the transport sector and in respect of Bus Connects in Dublin but is that what is holding up the announcements for the rest of the country? We have to have balanced regional development. The Government's announcements refer to that and that is part of the Ireland 2040 plan. I am really concerned that there have been no announcements about the connectivity between Shannon Airport and Limerick, which has the second largest deepwater port in the country. While I know the Minister might not be able to answer me today he might be able to give me some suggestions about what is happening there.