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Swords’ rapid housing growth is being outpaced by transport, wastewater and community infrastructure, with calls for stronger co-ordination, while Government says major projects and funding are already under way to support sustainable development.
Deputies from Dublin South-West pressed for an independent feasibility study to extend MetroLink beyond Charlemont, arguing the route should be planned urgently and should not be reduced to a routine NTA review. The Minister of State confirmed the Government is committed to the study, but said it will be done within the broader greater Dublin area transport strategy review.
Deputy O'Gorman argued that a Luas green line extension is essential to support planned housing at Dunsink. The Tánaiste said he would raise the case with the Transport Minister and look at possible capital funding routes.
Michael Fitzmaurice raised recurring problems with school bus tickets, especially for children already on concessionary places, and asked the Tánaiste to intervene. The Tánaiste acknowledged the issue, said the scheme remains in need of reform, and pointed to increased spending as evidence of commitment.
Senator Gallagher warned that falling taxi numbers are harming rural Ireland economically and socially, especially in Border counties. Senator Andrews and Gallagher briefly interjected with lighter remarks before the point concluded.
School transport eligibility and ticket shortages were raised as causing major family stress, with the Minister saying Bus Éireann and the Department are working to improve allocation, use spare capacity better and ensure tickets go to those most in need.
Senator Ryan criticised repeated delays to BusConnects Limerick, saying residents want delivery rather than more plans and seeking a clear start date. The Minister of State said the new network is progressing, with 61 electric buses already in service and further implementation details due later this year, while promising to raise the Senator’s concerns with the Minister.
The committee welcomed new member Deputy Martin Daly, agreed the minutes, and noted several accounts and correspondence. It highlighted serious issues in the Tusla accounts over non-compliant procurement and the ISIF loss of €2.5 million from a fraud, and agreed to write for further detail on both. Members were highly critical of IFI’s spend of over €70,000, excluding VAT, on media-training and legal preparation for a PAC appearance, and agreed to seek wider information from Departments and agencies on pre-hearing training costs. The committee also published its interim report on the national children’s science centre, calling for urgent Government intervention and no further public funding until a full review is done.
Extends the National Transport Authority’s powers so it can directly build public transport infrastructure anywhere in the State, not just in the Greater Dublin Area. It also updates the legal definition of “road authority” to cover the whole country, so the existing BusConnects-style process can be used outside Dublin. The measure is described as a technical enabling change and is not expected to cost the Exchequer extra money.
Deputy Pa Daly criticised major cost overruns and delays in the rail traffic management system and ticketing projects, while the Minister of State said progress is slow but the Government is engaged, safety is unaffected, and delivery remains a flagship priority.
Concerns over expanding the public services card into a digital ID and wallet centre on data protection, trust and coercion, while the Minister insists the system will remain voluntary and user-controlled under EU eIDAS rules.