Government must deliver on rail infrastructure for Dublin North West

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin North West Dessie Ellis has stated that completion of the Metro North, and the opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel, will ease the increasing traffic congestion and provide the start of a proper public transport system for many areas in Dublin North West.

Welcoming the commitment from government, Deputy Ellis said;

“This investment is not before time as the Fingal area has registered the third highest population growth rate in the country (at 13.9%) in Census 2011 and a further 8% growth rate in the intervening 5-year period as shown in Census 2016 results.

“In reply to Parliamentary questions I asked the Minister for Transport Shane Ross, he confirmed that funding has been made available under the Government’s Capital Plan ‘Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021’ for planning, design and construction of new Metro North, with construction expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2026/2027.

“It is estimated that the project will cost in the region of €2.4 billion (excluding VAT). Capital funding of €13.7m has been provided by the NTA for the redevelopment of the Phoenix Park Tunnel. The Phoenix Park tunnel line will see new services operate from Newbridge and Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock, via the tunnel, Drumcondra, Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse Stations.”

He continued:

“The benefits for Dublin are obvious. Thousands of cars will essentially be removed from our streets, improving the environment of Dublin City. Jobs will also be created both during and after construction. A direct line to and from the Airport and additional services using the phoenix park tunnel, will improve the lives of commuters and tourists in Dublin overall. However, it is imperative that the Government commitments to these services are indeed fully implemented as the alternative of an increased population and underdeveloped transport infrastructure will strangle the city both socially and economically.”

Dessie Ellis calls on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to allocate extra Gardaí to Ireland’s fastest growing urban area.

Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis calls on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to allocate extra Gardaí to help tackle crime in the Finglas area.

Deputy Ellis said:

“The population in the Dublin North West constituency has increased since the last census but the number of Gardaí has decreased. This defies all logic. This decline of Gardaí in relation to the rise in population is very worrying.

“In 2011 Finglas station had 120 Gardaí while in June 2016 there were 103 serving Gardaí. There has been a number of serious anti-social incidents over the summer and a number of assaults and thefts, which seem to be higher than usual. This could be a direct result of a lower Garda presence in Finglas Station than there was five years ago.

Ellis continued;

“Not only that, but the community Garda numbers are down as well from 2011 in Finglas by five community Gardaí. In Santry this has dropped by two and Ballymun has seen a fall of seven. Community Gardaí  play a pivotal role in helping communities deal with issues and the cut in their number also effects the amount of crime in the community.

“The Dublin North West area is a great place to live and has a great community spirt, but lesser number of Gardaí will not help a community to thrive and it’s Minister Fitzgerald’s responsibility to provide basic staffing levels of Gardaí which allow them to do their jobs properly.“