Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I plead with the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, to return to the table. I can only use my experience, which is that the best place to discuss any issue is at the table. I echo the calls in the Chamber for the ASTI to return to the discussions. I will use my experience as the parent of a leaving certificate student and as a public representative. The mental stress on these young people was increased last night. The announcements are not helping, no matter what anyone says. When a leaving certificate house hears such news, the effect is unbelievable. We are listening to every announcement. This has to stop. The only place for a discussion on the leaving certificate is around the table.I encourage the ASTI to go back into discussions immediately.

I welcome the €240 million funding announced for sustainable projects yesterday by the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the NTA. I also welcome the €7.7 million announced for my county. However, it would be remiss of me not to question the obvious disregard between the electoral areas of Kildare North and Kildare South. It is great to see the money being invested in towns and linking the villages of north Kildare. Unfortunately, almost 80% of the funding allocated to my county is targeted at north Kildare. We have many fine towns and villages in south Kildare but I want to mention one, which is Newbridge. Newbridge is the largest town in Kildare. Recent figures tell us it is the 15th largest town in Ireland. I suggest that any stimulus package to increase sustainable transport, including walking and cycling, must include the biggest town in the county. Without such investment, the residents of Newbridge are being left behind. I have met the NTA to discuss the issues surrounding commuters in the town and rail commuters in particular. We presented the NTA with a petition of 7,000 signatures, whose main concern surrounded the cost of fares, overcrowding and facilities. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport to come before the House to discuss the future transport needs of our towns. We cannot allow the town of Newbridge to grow as it has without looking at the transport links needed for it and to ensure this town in south Kildare gets the funding to ensure transport is sustainable.