15. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cork city task force will be established. [24952/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I thank the Taoiseach for the update about the Cork city futures group. As he mentioned, transport is a key theme within that reference. As the Taoiseach probably knows, I have been calling for a strategic integrated transportation office to be established in Cork. It is critically important that we have all the State agencies under one roof, such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, the National Transport Authority, NTA, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and the local authorities, driving the key projects for Cork. As the Taoiseach knows, we have multi-billion euro projects in the pipeline, including BusConnects, Luas Cork, the commuter rail projects, as well as road and sustainable travel projects. We need to see delivery at the earliest possible opportunity. To do that, we need local decision-making in a powerful transportation office established in Cork which can engage with the relevant stakeholders at a local level. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, seems positive about this idea. I ask the Taoiseach to try to support it. I am sure he would, given that it is Cork. An additional point relates to Cork Airport. It has issues with its transportation and connectivity. Having a locally based, integrated transportation office would also assist in ensuring that Cork Airport gets the transport services it deserves.

Sentiment score: 0.27