2026-04-30

102. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the roll-out of the planned inner orbital O route as part of the BusConnects project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31313/26]

Kilkenny is well represented in the Chair this morning. I wish to ask the Minister for Transport for an update on the roll-out of the planned O route, which is the inner orbital route, as part of the BusConnects project in Dublin.

I join with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in welcoming the students from Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline, who are here today as well. I wish them a very pleasant visit to Leinster House. I thank Deputy O'Gorman for the question. BusConnects Dublin is a transformative programme of investment to provide better bus services to more people across the capital. The Department of Transport is providing significant funding to support the roll-out of new bus infrastructure, fleet and services. We have already rolled out the first seven phases of the BusConnects Dublin network redesign so far, with the most recent one being the F spine serving Finglas to Tallaght in October 2025. The National Transport Authority is progressing all necessary works required to facilitate the introduction of the O route, which will provide an inner orbital operating on the North Circular Road and South Circular Road. The €940 million in public service obligation funding provided in budget 2026 allows the NTA to operate the bus network on a sustainable basis and to prioritise changes in line with operational capacity and passenger needs. The focus this year is on consolidating and strengthening the current network, while progressing improvements already under way. Unfortunately, it is not possible this morning to confirm an exact date for implementation of the O route. I am assured, however, that the S2 route from Heuston Station to Irishtown, which entered service in 2023, serves a part of the O route currently. The Department is also providing funding to advance the core bus corridors elements of the BusConnects programme. Contracts have now been awarded for both the Liffey Valley to city centre and the Ballymun-Finglas to city centre schemes, with a view to both entering heavy construction this year. I look forward to working with the NTA and our Department to continue the roll-out of BusConnects in Dublin in the years ahead.

One of the most difficult things to do in public transport in Dublin is get across the city rather than in and out of it. That is why those orbital routes are so important. The BusConnects O route will connect communities across Dublin city centre, from Infirmary Road in the west and North Strand in East Wall to across the Liffey and around the South Circular Road back to Heuston Station. Running in both directions, it will be the first true orbital route. It is the circuit that will link all the different spines of BusConnects together. When I asked the Minister and the NTA last February when it will roll out, I was told it would be in quarter 3 of 2025. There was no sign of it in quarter 3 of 2025. When I asked the Minister and the NTA about it in February 2025, they could not even give me a roll-out date. The reply stated that," Commencement of the new O-Route is subject to confirmation of sufficient PSO funding to support its operation, and hence a precise commencement date cannot be provided at this time." When will the O route be rolled out? Will the Minister of State work to speed it up?

The Deputy is correct; it is difficult to get across the city. The orbital routes are important. In fairness, the Deputy’s former colleague and former Minister, Eamon Ryan, introduced them. We have seen some being rolled out and we are doing more in that regard. The Department of Transport and I will engage with the NTA to ensure we get a date. There is ongoing engagement around the planning of all necessary works for the route about which the Deputy spoke. I will bring his feedback back to the officials. While I cannot provide a date this morning, I can say that the sectoral plan of the national development plan has allocated significant funding to the NTA to progress BusConnects routes in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, the Department and I share the Deputy’s commitment in this regard. I take the Deputy’s points on board. I do not have an exact date but I will bring his remarks back and engage with the officials in the Department.

We are missing an opportunity if we do not speed up the introduction of this O route. Running buses in both directions in a circuit around Dublin city centre will change the way people get around the city. There is one point about which I am concerned. My understanding, from comments an NTA official made to me, is that the roll-out of the O route might be split into two semi-circles, with only the southern portion being introduced first. That absolutely misses the point of an orbital route. It would also be unfair on communities in Dublin’s north-inner city that would benefit from a high-frequency service running in both directions along the North Circular Road. As with so many other public transport projects, it is clear that a lack of funding is causing the delay. The Minister needs to back this project and ensure the O route is rolled out soon on both sides - north and south - from the outset.

We all share the commitment to enhance the public transport offering. It is not correct to say there is a lack of funding. In the budget, the Minister received an increase of 46% in the PSO allocation. What we are doing - I think the Deputy will support us in this, being a former Minister - is building resilience and sustainability in the transport system and network for the future. We are planning new routes in a way that is sustainable for the future and will avoid the need to have to go through supplementary measures every budget and cycle. As the Deputy knows, people want certainty, reliable information and on-time buses. We will engage further with the NTA to ensure that process of planning is in place so that we can deliver. The Deputy is right that this is transformative. I assure the Deputy that all of us in the Department of Transport are committed to this. We want to see it happen. As I said, we have increased the PSO offering. It is now about making sure we continue to roll out BusConnects routes not just in Dublin but in the city of Cork as well. I hear the Deputy’s views.