Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the update.

As the Minister of State will be aware from my opening remarks, I am concerned about the drift in timings and delivery. While we can say that part of this, in terms of the overall delivery of BusConnects for Dublin 15, relates to the bus corridors and planning, there are routes that could be prioritised in the meantime. The year 2026 is a long time to wait from when we first started talking about BusConnects in 2018.

We need to think pragmatically. My community is being left behind when it comes to public transport. I have spoken about the disappearing buses, the long journey times and the need for a strategic link between the wider Blanchardstown area and Dublin Airport. The airport serves people who want to travel by aeroplane on holidays and business but it is also a key employer for Dublin West. I believe that it needs some intervention at a ministerial level to say that we should be pragmatic and positive and give people better choices so that we see better change.