There is a prediction the population of the country will increase by between 400,000 and 1.1 million by 2030. Currently, the M50, especially at peak hours, resembles a large car park and is virtually, if not already, at its peak. Throughout Dublin, traffic congestion now poses a real threat to economic development and growth. In the programme for Government, under the heading of public transport investment, works are due to commence on Metro North in 2021. The resumption of consultation has not yet begun. Will the Tánaiste outline when it will start, if it is still a priority and if the project could be delivered on a faster timescale to address the imminent crisis?

That is precisely the reason we are publishing the national infrastructure plan in association with the national planning guidelines so challenges such as the transport issue the Deputy has outlined can be dealt with over the next number of years. I will ask the Minister to liaise directly with the Deputy on the precise timescale.