Bus Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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James O'Connor (FF), Cork East

I acknowledge the response. I am coming to this with a solution-focused approach. I have seen in Athlone in particular how successful a local town-based bus service can be in providing state-of-the-art public transport connectivity for people living in the housing estates and satellite urban areas near the town. Midleton is one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland. A new town adjoining Midleton, Water Rock, is currently under construction and is expected to have a population of more than 4,000 in the near future, so we need to see some level of commitment.
The information I submitted outlines three different options that would involve a northern and southern orbital route around Midleton and Youghal, which would allow these villages the option of having a proper Local Link service to those local areas. I am also looking at finally having an in-town service for the Midleton-Ballinacurra area, which would give people the option of leaving the car at home. The distances are just that bit too long to walk, if people are doing the shopping and other things as they go about their daily business. This is one way of providing a service that would meet people's personal requirements. We need measures in the short term that deal with the traffic congestion we have been having lately around Midleton and on the N25 corridor until that road infrastructure is upgraded, which will happen in the medium-term future.
Will the Minister of State give me an idea of whether the Department will commit to looking at this, following on from my raising it with him and the Department?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09