Transport issues in Louth were raised in Leinster House by Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú.
The Dundalk TD highlighted specific issues with school transport, the Ardee bypass, the N53 and the 100X bus to Dublin Airport.
On the school transport issue, which was particularly contentious this year, Deputy Ó Murchú pleaded for planning by the government so the same issues don’t arise next year.
He said: ‘We cannot have the scenario we have every year in that, depending on the numbers who apply, we have a scramble around and all of us making representations to ministers.
‘In such a scenario there will be people carrying out walks to school and others following in their cars, just in case their kids are put off buses and all the rest of it, which has happened in Annagassan. We need to make sure those issues are dealt with’.
Planning is also a problem in County Louth. He said: ‘We need it streamlined in order that the particular capital projects that are needed get done. There are worries in my constituency in respect of the N53.
‘We have the calamity that is An Bord Pleanála at present. There is a difficulty getting an oral hearing and there are worries with regard to finances and making sure necessary infrastructure is put in play.
‘We need to look at how we do the entire design process between local authorities and all the other stakeholders.
‘The Ardee bypass is another project that has never been brought to completion. However, some constituents have issues, which, again, is where we always fall down by not engaging sufficiently with the community beforehand’.
The R173 from Dundalk to Cooley was also highlighted. He said: ‘I had a decent interaction with Minister Eamon Ryan on the R173, which is the road out to the Cooley Peninsula, especially on safety measures that are needed at the Bush and Bellurgan schools.
‘He agreed with it but the entire process is flawed. I could also talk about necessary works that need doing whether they are in Knockbridge or Shelagh or between St. Malachy’s and the national schools there. We just need to improve the way we are dealing with the process.
‘We need to engage with all the stakeholders with regard to buses, that is, the private coach operators. My constituents raise the issue of Bus Éireann and particular difficulties with the 100X.
‘It is not necessarily making the timelines. People from Dundalk would use that bus to make flights at the airport’.
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