106. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the planned roll-out of the N8 orbital bus route under the BusConnects programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46563/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I want to again raise with the Minister an issue that is close to my heart and the hearts of residents across Dublin 15, namely, the provision of the N8 orbital bus service, a new BusConnects service linking Blanchardstown with Dublin Airport. I want to tie down a commitment the Minister made on a previous occasion that the route will be up and running by the end of this year.

Sentiment score: 0.26

As the Minister knows, this route is long delayed. When I contacted the NTA in 2024, I was told it would be in place in 2025. When I asked about it in 2025, I was told it would be in place in 2026. When I asked about it earlier this year, I was told it would be in place in 2027. The Minister and I have discussed this route in the Chamber a number of times. He gave a strong commitment last time in terms of having the route delivered this year. I received a written reply from the Minister's Department on the same day which hedged somewhat and referred to 2026 or maybe 2027. I am a bit concerned about what the Minister has said because I do not feel he was quite as committed to getting the route delivered this year. He raised a point about delivery of funding. I know he does not run the opening of individual routes day by day, but he is responsible for the money. I am unclear why the Minister is asking whether the money will be ready this year. He is the person with responsibility for whether there is money to deliver the N8 from Blanchardstown to Dublin Airport in 2026 to which he has committed.

Sentiment score: 0.15

The ongoing delay in the delivery of the N8 is emblematic of wider delays in the delivery of bus services. I refer in particular to my constituency. The B spine route has been delayed. A judicial review is ongoing and I understand is that is coming to an end. Large numbers of new houses are being built. The Minister and I were at the opening of new estates over the past number of years. Additional bus service in places like Hollystown, Tyrrelstown and Kilmartin Grove are important in terms of dealing with the housing crisis in our country, but those areas are not seeing an increase in the level of services and capacity. There is already pressure to extend the N8 to cover areas like Hollystown and Hollywoodrath so that people have links to the airport and other areas of high employment. Again, it comes down to the question of money and providing financial backing to open these new services.

Sentiment score: -0.07