Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In respect of level 3 restrictions and Senator Mullen's remarks about going to church, I go to church on Sunday with my children, who serve at mass. After that, I like to pop down to the local hotel and have my dinner.When I have eaten, I like to go to Páirc Tailteann to watch a club championship match. When the match is over, I enjoy going to the Paddy Fitzsimons pub for a pint with my friends. I would be doing all of those things this coming Sunday, which is the day of the county hurling final, but I cannot do so because we are being asked not to pit one area of our society, whether it be religious, sporting or otherwise, against another. We are being asked to do so in order to prevent us having to move to level 4 or to a full lockdown under level 5. I pray to God that we can avoid that. God knows it is our responsibility to do so. I am glad the churches are open for private prayer.

The investment in capital infrastructure by the Government will play a key role in our economic recovery. I am glad the Government is putting that front and centre in the budget next week by underpinning existing plans and introducing new ones. The refreshing of the national development plan, NDP, that is due to be announced in the spring next year will provide a platform for economic stimulus and societal gain in many parts of the country. Navan is a major town that really needs such benefits. It is the largest town in the greater Dublin area without rail connectivity to the city centre. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has been talking about initiating a review of rail services since autumn last year, the implementation of which would commence this autumn. The authority has spent a full 12 months talking about a review and now we are told that it will be the summer of 2022 before it is completed. Three years down the track - a phantom track that does not exist - we might have a completed review.

The crux of the matter is that the NTA's review will not be finished by the time the revised NDP is announced next spring, which means that the development of a rail service for Navan could be left off the table altogether. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, needs to address this issue now on the basis of the clear facts that are before him. There is a fear that the reduction in traffic movements because of the pandemic will be used, in the context of the review, as a reason not to endorse a rail plan for Navan to the city centre. Such a plan clearly stacks up and is supported by the facts, as the Leader knows from her time on Meath County Council and in Cabinet. We need the Minister to commit to delivering for Navan in accordance with the position he has always taken on public transport. Unlike his predecessor, former Deputy Shane Ross, this Minister knows where Navan is and where Trimgate Street is and he knows the benefit of good public transport. I have written to him today asking him to act in this matter. I ask the Leader to press the case because this is a crucial issue.