Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I associate myself with the remarks from Senator Ward on China and the Winter Olympics next year. I rise today to speak to two related matters, both concerning our attitude to public transport, its provision and how the National Transport Authority, NTA, engages with communities.

On 28 November this year there are changes in bus routes being effected under BusConnects in Dublin city. One example is the changes that will occur in Chapelizod and such places. In town, people have a variety of bus routes to get to Chapelizod but from 28 November they will only have one. The connectivity between Chapelizod and Lucan, where many children go to school, will be broken because the direct route has been broken.

I have throughout this process challenged the NTA's engagement with the public and its public consultation has been deeply flawed. One cannot have proper public consultation when people have not been able to mingle or get out and about and when there was a very controlled Zoom environment. Communities have repeatedly put forward their case and explained it. There have been some minor amendments to try to plámás people but there has been no real engagement with the community and its needs.

A community like Chapelizod has had connectivity for the children but after 28 November people will have to choose to get into their cars to drive. We have huge momentum in the transferring of modalities to public transport from private transport, but at the same time we are creating a position where cars are going to be essential for the movement and collection of children who are too young to get two buses when they can get one now. It seems ridiculous.

I appeal for the Seanad to write to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to demand he makes the NTA connect with communities and listen to them effectively. They have a right to be heard.