Dáil Éireann
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Vol. 976 Wednesday, No. 5 12 December 2018 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 12/12/2018A00100Estimates for Public Services 2018: Message from Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 572 12/12/2018A00300Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 572 12/12/2018A00400Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 572 12/12/2018A00550Bus Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 572 12/12/2018B00300Public Transport � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 575 12/12/2018C00200Olympic Games � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 577 12/12/2018C01600Tender Process� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 579 12/12/2018D02200Bus Éireann Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 582 12/12/2018E00550Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 585 12/12/2018E00600Trans European Transport Network Programme � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 585 12/12/2018F00550Ports Development � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 587 12/12/2018G00350Departmental Funding � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 589 12/12/2018H00550Public Service Obligation Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 592 12/12/2018H01850Transport Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 594 12/12/2018J01000Rail Network Expansion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 596 12/12/2018K00200Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 597 12/12/2018M01900Visit of Iranian Delegation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 603 12/12/2018M02100Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders’ Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 603 12/12/2018O00600Death of former Members: Expressions of Sympathy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 608 12/12/2018V00100Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 622 12/12/2018X01200Housing (Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability) Bill 2018: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 630 12/12/2018Y00800Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill 2018: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 631 12/12/2018Y01700Estimates for Public Services 2018: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 633 12/12/2018Y02000Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 635 12/12/2018MM00200Message from Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 664 12/12/2018MM00400Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 664 12/12/2018SS00100Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 665 12/12/2018SS00200Commencement of Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 665 12/12/2018TT00250Immigration Policy� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 667 12/12/2018UU00400Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 670 12/12/2018UU00750Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 670 12/12/2018UU00800Respite Care Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 670 12/12/2018VV00350Medicinal Products Availability � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 673 12/12/2018WW00400Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members]� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 675 12/12/2018JJJ00912Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Order for Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 704 12/12/2018JJJ01300Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 704 12/12/2018RRR00100Consumer Credit (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 721 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 12 Nollaig 2018 Wednesday, 12 December 2018 Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy Eugene Murphy) i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 12/12/2018A00100Estimates for Public Services 2018: Message from Select Committee 12/12/2018A00200Acting Chairman (Deputy Eugene Murphy): The Select Committee on Housing, Plan- ning and Local Government has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31 December 2018: Vote 34 - Housing, Plan- ning and Local Government� 12/12/2018A00300Ceisteanna - Questions 12/12/2018A00400Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 12/12/2018A00500Acting Chairman (Deputy Eugene Murphy): I wish to point out to Members the proce- dure for questions� There are 30 seconds, and 30 seconds only, for Deputies to put their ques- tions and the Minister has two minutes to respond� Deputies have a supplementary question and the Minister answers it. There is a final supplementary question and a final answer from the Minister� I ask Members to adhere strictly to that so that we get through as many questions as possible� 12/12/2018A00550Bus Services 12/12/2018A006001� Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the delay between the implementation of the BusConnects network redesign and the planned roll out of the new core bus corridors and lanes� [52436/18] 12/12/2018A00700Deputy John Lahart: I thank the Acting Chairman for the riding instruction� What are the Minister’s views on the delay between BusConnects phase 2, which relates to the bus spines and new corridors that we, on this side of the House, strongly support, and the implementation 572 12 December 2018 of phase 1, which relates to the network changes? 12/12/2018A00800Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): As the Deputy is aware BusConnects is one of the flagship investments to be delivered under Project Ireland 2040 and the ten year national development plan, NDP� The programme is made up of a num- ber of different components, namely, building a new network of improved bus and cycle lanes; redesigning and expanding the network of bus services; introducing simpler fare structures and new ticketing technology; implementing a new bus livery; providing new and improved bus stops and shelters and new park and ride sites; and, importantly, transitioning the entire urban PSO bus fleet to low emission technologies. The objective of these proposals under BusConnects is to improve bus journey times that will benefit many millions of passenger journeys each year; provide a bus service that is easier to use and understand; enable more people to travel by bus than ever before; and also provide a network of cycling infrastructure that will enable more people to cycle across the city� Each of the components is significant in its own right while collectively they have the poten- tial to transform how we use the bus in Dublin and in the other cities when rolled out there� The Deputy’s question seems to suggest discord where none exists. All significant investment pro- grammes such as BusConnects are made up of different components which can be progressed at different times and at different speeds. With BusConnects Dublin, the National Transport Authority, NTA, has been running the con- sultation phase on two distinct components, first, the network redesign - this is about configu- ration of all the bus services that will run for passengers - and, second, the proposed new bus lanes� These are the dedicated road infrastructure that will form the 16 main corridors into the city on which the bus services, and cycleways, will run� We all know of the significant public consultation that has taken place