I compliment my colleague from Dublin 15. Representatives from that area have been working on the issue of drones for some time. Griffith Avenue residents have raised it on the basis that drone use is expanding to new areas. While it currently relates to food deliveries, we can only imagine the impact it would have if, for example, all parcel deliveries were to be transferred to drones in a short space of time. The issue here is also about the planning application for the site. We have time restrictions on when we can have takeaways operating. We also need to have time restrictions on when drone deliveries of all sorts can be used.
Sentiment score: 0.07
95. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Finglas Luas expansion project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34107/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
I want to raise an issue that is identified in the national development programme, which is the Finglas Luas project. It is a fantastic project that makes a lot of sense, with 4 km and four stops connecting it to an existing line that will give access to thousands of people in my constituency. We are one of the few constituencies in the country that does not have rail services. We are entirely reliant on bus services. However, we hope the Finglas Luas will come out of planning this year, and we want to make sure that next year it goes to construction.
Sentiment score: 0.28
It is very welcome that we will have a planning decision by 30 September. The Minister is right that the decision to bring it to the Cabinet for gate 1 was really important. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, really assisted us in doing that. He came on site and examined the potential of it. I was pleased the Cabinet signed off on that. Almost all the Luas projects that have happened have gone through the planning and procurement phase in one five-year cycle and in the second five years they have been constructed and delivered. That is where we need to focus now. We are looking beyond planning and procurement to the potential of the site. It has the potential to unlock more housing in the area, which is crucial. When we built Finglas west and Finglas south, there was a line through the middle of it. That line was intended for a railway project many decades ago. While this is being prioritised, there is a legacy here. This will deliver for our constituency. I want to ensure the Minister is aware of it, which he is, and that we keep the pressure on the NTA and TII to deliver it.
Sentiment score: 0.10
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I see we are making good progress on that. We will keep a watchful eye and ensure it continues. Many people on the other side of the constituency will hope for the delivery of the metro project with the same urgency. It is a far more complex and detailed project but one that has been promised for some time. The review of the national development plan is happening in the next couple of weeks. Those two key projects in my constituency are really important, along with the BusConnects projects. The core bus corridors are the quickest and easiest ways to deliver better public transport in our areas. The network design was not uncontroversial and there was a great deal of input from people. I still have issues with certain elements of it but the core bus corridors will be important in providing high-frequency access. Those are my three asks. I wish the Minister the best of luck in his portfolio. It is the first time I have had the opportunity to ask him questions on it. I look forward to working with him on it.
Sentiment score: 0.38