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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Dublin transport and planning appeal

Summary

Senator Fitzpatrick welcomed the Ukrainian ambassador, condemned Russia's invasion, and turned to public transport in Dublin and the statutory planning appeal announced that day.

I, too, welcome H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko, the Ambassador of Ukraine, who is the Ukrainian people's representative in our country. I join with others in condemning Russia's invasion and attempted annexation of an independent state. I reiterate our resolve to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainians and utterly condemn Russia's attack not just on Ukraine, but on our democracy and Western democracy.

I wish to raise again the issue of public transport in Dublin city and the greater Dublin area. Specifically, I draw the House's attention to the announcement earlier today that the statutory planning application deadline for the MetroLink has been extended. The deadline for submissions - an issue I have raised in the House - was 25 November, which has now been extended to 16 January. I welcome the extension and the additional six weeks for people to make submissions. I am critical of the fact that for my constituency and community, this is the second statutory planning application taking place at the one time, which is putting a financial burden of €100 on people in my community who wish to make a submission. I also must question how it could be that a planning application for a public transport infrastructure project that is estimated to require an investment of €9 billion at current costs - and God knows what it will cost when it goes ahead - could actually have an error and an omission that would require this amendment to a statutory planning process. I renew my request for a debate in this House on the National Transport Authority, NTA, and the public transport plans for Dublin city.

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