Green TD wants Apple tax used to improve public transport in Limerick
Brian Leddin seeking second term in Dail Eireann
GREEN TD Brian Leddin says his party's General Election manifesto includes a commitment to expand acute healthcare capacity in Limerick.
And, he also wants some of the €10bn Apple tax money set aside to improve public transport in Limerick.
The local TD is bidding to be re-elected to Dail Eireann for a second term after making a breakthrough for his party in 2020.
He attended the launch of the party's election programme in Dublin, and highlighted some of the goals it has for Limerick.
"I am particularly happy to confirm that the manifesto includes a specific commitment to expand capacity for acute healthcare in Limerick and to implement the results of recent and forthcoming reports to tackle overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). These measures combined with the 78 beds that will be delivered in St John’s and the ongoing work to deliver over 90 beds in UHL are confirmation of my own and the Green Party's strong commitment to Limerick," he said.
Nationally, the party is pledging to build more than 50,000 homes per year across the next five years.
In this number will be 17,000 affordable and social homes.
"This is a strong manifesto for all of Ireland including Limerick. The need to develop affordable, sustainable housing has never been greater. I welcome the commitment to deliver on housing and to revising the National Planning Framework to increase our ambition for delivery in towns and cities outside of Dublin," said Mr Leddin.
The City TD pointed out the party's presence in government has seen ridership increase on bus services, and conversely, the price of fares drop.
"Included in the Green Party manifesto is a vision for growing Limerick in a sensible planned fashion, avoiding the urban sprawl and mistakes that have happened in other cities. The metropolitan rail network is a huge part of that which will include stations in Moyross, Corbally, Parkway, Ballysimon, Lisnagry, Dooradoyle, Mungret, Raheen and Adare as well as extending the existing Ennis rail to take in Shannon Airport. The inclusion of Shannon Airport in the rail network will be a game changer for the whole region, enabling convenient, affordable fast connectivity to the rest of the country. This full metropolitan rail network, and other major transport projects for the regional cities, will be prioritised and funded using €10 billion from the Apple windfall revenues," said Mr Leddin.
A 24-hour bus service between Limerick, Ennis Road, Bunratty and Shannon Airport has been introduced, with another round-the-clock service soon, linking University Hospital Limerick, University of Limerick and the city centre.
"We were the first city in Ireland to roll out zero emission buses making our city and our streets cleaner and more pleasant places to be. BusConnects will be rolled out in Limerick starting next year and when we're finished 40% of Limerick residents will be within a few minutes’ walk of a bus that runs every 15 minutes or better," the Green TD added.
There are also plans to invest in a dedicated public transport unit with the gardai to ensure public transport is safe for users and staff who can travel to and from work.
Concluding his remarks Deputy Leddin welcomed the commitment that new roads which reduce traffic in towns and cities will continue to be prioritised by the Green Party and that maintenance and repair of existing roads will be funded.
"Ensuring our existing road network is properly maintained and repaired as needed is a vital part of adapting to the reality of climate change and more frequent extreme weather events. I welcome my party's commitment to ensuring our road networks are maintained in the face of this emerging challenge," he said.