In the same 1990-2010 period, the complementary public transport infrastructure – the Luas Red and Green lines and initial DART expansion – was delivered. Have the road and public transport networks kept pace with the roughly 20 per cent population increase in the Greater Dublin Area? In the absence of adequate public transport connectivity, the private car has become the default – and often the only – viable transport option. This model, which integrates dense residential and commercial areas around high-capacity public transport, has proven successful globally in creating sustainable communities. If Ireland is to stand any realistic chance of meeting its legally binding transport emissions targets outlined in the Climate Action Plan, large-scale public transport projects must be built.

Source: The Irish Times December 08, 2025 12:03 UTC