Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I find it hugely disappointing and disrespectful that the speech provided to the Minister to read out is a word-for-word, copy-and-paste job of a parliamentary question from earlier this year. It is disrespectful to me, this House, the issue and the people of Meath.

I was specific in my Commencement matter. It related to something that is happening this week. The Minister of State said that no doubt I contributed to the public consultation. I did and I am blue in the face contributing to public consultations. I have held meetings with the NTA and with the Irish Rail CEO, who is hugely supportive of this project. The work the Minister of State referred to in her speech as under way is complete and on the desk of the CEO of the NTA, Anne Graham. This week it goes before the board for analysis and decision and going on the desk of the Minister.

I hope the Department, the Minister for Transport and the Government back it because the days of ignoring the people of Meath and Navan are over. The report is not under way but done and we need the cheque written for it now. I hope the Minister and the officials who send in statements of written parliamentary questions as a response hear that call. The people of Navan and Meath will not be disrespected.