Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, a good morning. The next matter is in the name of Senator Kyne.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan. I am not sure why the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, had to leave seeing as he works in the Department of Transport, but nonetheless the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is very welcome. I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this matter. It concerns the National Transport Authority,NTA, with which the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, works, in the Department of Transport.

The NTA originally had a Dublin remit, which since than has fortunately been broadened to a national one. It has a very important role in projects like active travel and bus routes across city and county councils.We need to move away from Dublin-based decisions to regional on-the-ground staffing where they can meet with county councillors, residents and council engineers in relation to projects that are important to local communities. For example, the 424 bus passes through Na Forbacha agus Bearna. It is a successful bus route. It is full on many occasions and it does not stop but passes by residents who are waiting. We need NTA officials who are able to see that, and able to come down to Bearna and to Na Forbacha to see full buses passing by, to realise that a solution is needed which is either additional capacity, higher frequency or a new bus route starting in An Spidéal and travelling through Na Forbacha and Bearna into the city. More regional structures in relation to the NTA would be beneficial to that relationship on the ground with councillors.

Having Dublin-centric decision-making, whereby there is liaison and maps and projects may be sent up from local engineers to the NTA in Dublin, is fine. However, nothing can beat the on-the-ground relationships that allow people to see what is happening on the ground and meet with councillors. Our councillors are at the coal face. They are meeting with residents and hearing about issues in relation to active travel or the need to extend a footpath further to meet up with new houses or to remove bad bends. Whatever role they may have in relation to active travel such as safe routes to school, the need for new pedestrian crossings or new bus stops or shelters where they may be warranted would be easier done by having people in regional areas - Galway city and county in my own case - so that the staff will get to know the engineers and the councillors on a personal basis. They will be able to discuss projects and bring forward projects knowing what is possible and what is not.

The NTA does a wonderful job but it could do even better by having regional structures, regional offices and staff on the ground engaging with local councillors in their own localities. While it has a national remit, are there any plans with the Department of Transport to provide such structures and staffing? Is there an issue with funding? Has this been discussed? There is great merit in this idea. Dhéanfadh sé an-chiall dá mbeadh oifigí réigiúnacha trasna na tíre ag tacú le comhairleoirí agus le hinnealtóirí, ag obair le pobal chathair na Gaillimhe, Chonamara, Chontae na Gaillimhe agus na n-oileán, ag freastal ar na ceantair seo, ag casadh le daoine, ag dul go dtí cruinnithe, agus ag breathnú ar rudaí ar an talamh. Dhéanfadh sé sin an-chiall. Tá mé ag lorg tacaíocht ón Roinn Iompair ar an ábhar seo. Tá súil agam go mbeidh sé sásta breathnú ar an gcás seo agus ar na deiseanna a bhaineann leis an moladh seo maidir leis an gcóras náisiúnta iompair, is go ndéanfar cinneadh airgead a chur ar fáil le foireann a chur i bhfeidhm ar an talamh go réigiúnach i nGaillimh agus sna contaetha eile trasna na tíre. Táim ag súil go mór le freagra an Aire Stáit.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Kyne for the question. The official reply raises a number of issues in relation to regional representation and the money and work that has been done by the NTA in Galway and its hinterland. The Government and the Minister are responsible for the policy and the overall funding but it is the NTA that delivers, plans and develops it in line with the statutory responsibility for providing transport. There are a number of issues on which it is working with Galway city and county councils in terms of developing funding. The Senator's overall point relates to its national remit and the fact that its national office is in Dublin, in the context of the search for solutions and good transport initiatives throughout the country. In particular, Senator Kyne speaks about Galway, which is one of the fastest growing cities and communities in the country.

We look at the information that is provided at local level, both to Oireachtas Members and at local authority level. They need to have proper engagement with the local authority to address the challenges on the ground because Oireachtas Members and members of local authorities are constantly engaged with the resident communities and indeed with their own communities as well. They know the challenges. Clearly, there is a deficit in relation to delivery. Local knowledge is very much to the fore and solutions can be found very quickly. However, they are then engaging with an office that does not have the detailed information in relation to it. It is a sound suggestion in terms of having proper engagement with local authorities and the NTA. It is also important as Ireland is developing and has developed over the past while. The development of the regions will be a key, massive component of how we deliver. As Galway has seen huge development over the past while, which will continue into the future, it is important that we engage and use the expertise of members of the local authority and Members of the Oireachtas to ensure early engagement in relation to challenges being faced in the community right across Galway city and county.

I will certainly bring the proposal Senator Kyne put before me to both the Department of Transport and the NTA. If we are to have balanced regional development, we must make sure the information that is readily available locally is fed into national policy. As we have seen in many policies, if it comes from the ground up it is always better received locally and easier to implement. The challenges and the shortcomings are there. I take the point the Senator has raised in relation to Galway city and county. I will engage with the NTA and the Department of Transport to ensure we can look at what he is proposing in Seanad Éireann today. It is a sound and sensible suggestion. In the official response, we have a number of issues in relation to Galway and the development of infrastructure right across Galway, but the key point is that there is better engagement locally with Oireachtas Members, local authorities, local authority engineers and the communities so that we can deliver the best possible results in terms of transport infrastructure throughout Galway city and county.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive response. It is clear to me that this proposal makes sense to him. I thank him for coming in and for the response from the Department of Transport. I am sure he will agree that the NTA is delivering for regional Ireland, including County Galway. It has a very important remit but it could do even better. It could do things even quicker and have better decisions by having more local, on-the-ground representation in relation to the points I have raised. Further consideration will be needed on the wider legislative amendments required to extend the NTA's remit. These amendments will be progressed in a separate, wider Bill, according to the script that has been provided. Something like regional offices would be a win-win for the NTA and for the local authorities throughout the country in terms of providing a better service, quicker decisions and a more on-the-ground view of what is required within both urban and rural communities.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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In regard to the Senator's points on further expansion and further change in legislation, that will come in due course. There is serious engagement by the NTA, the Department of Transport and indeed the whole of the Government in relation to funding for Galway for transport infrastructure as well as other issues. The wider point is that if there is a link from the local authorities and the communities right up to the national office, many times some of what can become big issues can be seen earlier on in the process and can be resolved locally. I certainly will bring the proposal back. I will ensure it is given huge consideration at both the NTA offices and in the Department of Transport.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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Before we move to our next Commencement matter, we have a packed Public Gallery and I wish to welcome some of our guests. Students from Marino Institute of Education are most welcome to the Seanad. We also have visitors from Cairdeas Clubhouse, guests of Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí. They are welcome here today. They picked a beautiful day to come. Hopefully, they will enjoy the rest of their tour and visit. We also have Mr. P.J. Bohan and Mr. Des Dalton in the Public Gallery, guests of Senator Garret Kelleher. I hope they manage to catch him in action.