National Transport Authority Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-29 ============================================================ Seán Kyne (FG), Cultural and Educational Panel Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan. I am not sure why the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, had to leave seeing as he works in the Department of Transport, but nonetheless the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is very welcome. I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this matter. It concerns the National Transport Authority, NTA, with which the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, works, in the Department of Transport. The NTA originally had a Dublin remit, which since than has fortunately been broadened to a national one. It has a very important role in projects like active travel and bus routes across city and county councils. We need to move away from Dublin-based decisions to regional on-the-ground staffing where they can meet with county councillors, residents and council engineers in relation to projects that are important to local communities. For example, the 424 bus passes through Na Forbacha agus Bearna. It is a successful bus route. It is full on many occasions and it does not stop but passes by residents who are waiting. We need NTA officials who are able to see that, and able to come down to Bearna and to Na Forbacha to see full buses passing by, to realise that a solution is needed which is either additional capacity, higher frequency or a new bus route starting in An Spidéal and travelling through Na Forbacha and Bearna into the city. More regional structures in relation to the NTA would be beneficial to that relationship on the ground with councillors. Having Dublin-centric decision-making, whereby there is liaison and maps and projects may be sent up from local engineers to the NTA in Dublin, is fine. However, nothing can beat the on-the-ground relationships that allow people to see what is happening on the ground and meet with councillors. Our councillors are at the coal face. They are meeting with residents and hearing about issues in relation to active travel or the need to extend a footpath further to meet up with new houses or to remove bad bends. Whatever role they may have in relation to active travel such as safe routes to school, the need for new pedestrian crossings or new bus stops or shelters where they may be warranted would be easier done by having people in regional areas - Galway city and county in my own case - so that the staff will get to know the engineers and the councillors on a personal basis. They will be able to discuss projects and bring forward projects knowing what is possible and what is not. The NTA does a wonderful job but it could do even better by having regional structures, regional offices and staff on the ground engaging with local councillors in their own localities. While it has a national remit, are there any plans with the Department of Transport to provide such structures and staffing? Is there an issue with funding? Has this been discussed? There is great merit in this idea. Dhéanfadh sé an-chiall dá mbeadh oifigí réigiúnacha trasna na tíre ag tacú le comhairleoirí agus le hinnealtóirí, ag obair le pobal chathair na Gaillimhe, Chonamara, Chontae na Gaillimhe agus na n-oileán, ag freastal ar na ceantair seo, ag casadh le daoine, ag dul go dtí cruinnithe, agus ag breathnú ar rudaí ar an talamh. Dhéanfadh sé sin an-chiall. Tá mé ag lorg tacaíocht ón Roinn Iompair ar an ábhar seo. Tá súil agam go mbeidh sé sásta breathnú ar an gcás seo agus ar na deiseanna a bhaineann leis an moladh seo maidir leis an gcóras náisiúnta iompair, is go ndéanfar cinneadh airgead a chur ar fáil le foireann a chur i bhfeidhm ar an talamh go réigiúnach i nGaillimh agus sna contaetha eile trasna na tíre. Táim ag súil go mór le freagra an Aire Stáit. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-29/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-04-29