Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I 100% agree that there is a need for a modal shift in our transport policy. The investment in the public transport network under the NDP, particularly in the area of rail, is massively needed. In that respect, I am glad that the Navan rail project is included in the plan, as is referenced in this motion. As has been stated, allocations provided under the NDP will allow for the commencement of the planning and design of rail projects that might emerge from the review, including options for the proposed Navan rail line. This is a major advancement in the life of this project. I thank the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, for listening to me, to the people of Navan and to the people of Meath and for making sure that the project was back on the books because it has been off the books for the past decade. It was dumped as a policy in 2012 by the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Varadkar, even though the project was at rail order stage, having completed the first phase in 2010.

Over the past few years, we have done a serious amount of detailed analytical work, led by Meath's local authority and its chief executive, Jackie Maguire, in her term. This work has resulted in a serious plan being sent to the NTA. This plan is based on projected population growth along the route and projected development and planning permissions along the route. It is to be hoped the authority will give this plan a positive endorsement when the greater Dublin area plans are produced shortly. I hope that, when we get that endorsement, the Green Party Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, whom Senator Kyne praised so effusively in his opening remarks, will sign the cheque for what is needed and allow us to construct the most deliverable of all the rail projects included in the NDP.