Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Hansfield station, comes under the remit of the NTA. The legislative basis for this is Section 11 (1) (e) of the DTA Act 2008 "Principal Functions of Authority - The principal functions of the Authority are to secure the- provision of public transport infrastructure". Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Notwithstanding the above, I have engaged with the relevant parties - Iarnród Eireann, Fingal County Council and the NTA. The amendment to the SDZ permitting a car park at Hansfield has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála by a third party and this will impact on the granting of planning permission for it. As the Deputy will know from his time as a member of a local authority, this is beyond my control. However, I continue to work on this matter and will see it through. I look forward to inviting the Deputy to the official opening next year.