Govt. spending out of control as DART expansion programme costs increase – Mac Sharry

Published on: 07 February 2020


Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism, and Sport Marc Mac Sharry says the outgoing Fine Gael government has lost control of public spending as it emerges the proposed DART expansion project will cost €600m more than previously estimated. 

Deputy Mac Sharry said, “Media reports this morning detail increasing costs of the expansion of DART services to Kildare, Droghdea, and the greater Dublin area. While this is a badly needed upgrade the outgoing government have raced into announcements without substance. 

“Minister Ross stood in the grounds of government buildings and announced the ordering of long-awaited new carriages to ease the commute misery people face daily while speaking about the expansion programme which was being worked on.

“It is no wonder people have lost confidence in Fine Gael and Shane Ross. They have lost control of public spending. The National Children’s Hospital has become one of the most expensive in the world and now the DART Expansion programme is creeping in cost before any significant work is done. 

“The Department of Transport has been left leader less as Shane Ross had his attention turned to a closed Garda Station and Judicial appointments rather than his ministerial brief. 

“Real leadership is a lot less glamorous. We need a lot less announcements and more delivery. What commuters need are plans with substance to solve the commute crisis on our oversubscribed rail network,” concluded Deputy Mac Sharry.