Galway transport strategy
Deputy Connolly criticised delays to Galway's new transport strategy and bus network, saying decisions were being held up by the N6 process. The Tánaiste said transport planning must be multifaceted, would not pre-empt An Bord Pleanála, and would speak to the Minister about the issue.
The NTA advised me of its decision to defer the development of a new transport strategy for Galway. The original strategy was developed in 2016. This puts us at odds with other cities such as Cork, Limerick and Waterford, all of which had their strategies reviewed in the process of the development of a new strategy.
The NTA also informed us it has delayed or deferred the introduction of the new bus network in Galway. All of this seems to be pending the outcome of the assessment of An Bord Pleanála of the N6 project, for which we have no timeline and do not know when a decision will be made. In 2022, the NTA tendered for a company to undertake a review of the Galway transport strategy. My understanding was that its remit was to develop a strategy that would cater for either outcome, that is, with or without the new N6 project. It is, therefore, deeply disappointing that it has made this decision.
The strategy for Galway should be multifaceted and consider the all-island rail review recommendations to double the railtrack to Athenry and develop the western rail corridor. There are bus priority infrastructure measures in the original strategy that have never been developed. We should have some update on the current position. There is uncertainty about our park and ride strategy. One bugbear of mine has been that the park and ride strategy was developed by the park and ride office in Dublin, not in Galway. I ask the Tánaiste to ask the NTA to reignite the development strategy.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Connolly, who makes a very compelling case. Any transport strategy will have to be multifaceted, as the Deputy correctly said. I will not cut across the decisions pending in An Bord Pleanála on the N6 and I know the importance of that in Galway. Regardless of what decision is made, there will still be a requirement to do more on the public transport network. We are very proud of the all-island rail review and we want to make progress on that, as well as other areas, over the lifetime of the Government. In light of the Deputy's representation today, I will speak to the Minister for Transport and ask that he convey his views to the NTA and come back to him directly.