Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
489. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for independent expert assistance to resident groups seeking to understand or amend the BusConnects proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3840/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for independent expert assistance to resident groups seeking to understand or amend MetroLink proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3841/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra491. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that residents living on and around Mobhi Road are experiencing difficulty assessing the way in which the BusConnects and MetroLink proposals will affect their community; and if he will consider furnishing independent expert assistance to them in this regard. [3842/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489 to 491, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the development of BusConnects and MetroLink.
As the Deputy is aware, extensive public consultations are taking place with regard to both projects.
In relation to proposals to develop new bus lanes as part of the BusConnects programme, any property owner whose property is impacted by the development of the new bus lanes is offered a one-to-one meeting by the NTA, and I would encourage any such property owner to meet with the NTA to discuss the proposals and their implications. In addition to that personalised consultation with individual property owners, the NTA publishes detailed booklets in relation to each proposed, "corridor", establishes a community forum for each corridor and holds public information events in relation to the various corridors. The Deputy will, I am sure, acknowledge the extensive scope of this non-statutory consultation process.
In relation to MetroLink, I understand the NTA is finalising its review of the thousands of submissions received as part of last year's extensive public consultation process and will in the coming months re-engage with the public on a fresh round of public consultation on what will be referred to as the, "Preferred Route". That will be a further opportunity for people to review and consider proposals and engage with the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, during that public consultation process.
I note the Deputy's comments with regard to Mobhi Road and would refer to my comments above in relation to MetroLink and its impending consultation period and note that consultations on BusConnects proposals which may impact that area will commence in mid-February.
I am satisfied that the processes I have referred to above provide ample opportunity for people to understand the impications of any proposals and I would encourage as many people as possible to engage with these extensive consultation procesess on these two potentially transformative public transport initiatives.
