Galway is not being given the priority it deserves in terms of delivery under transport, according to Galway City West Independent candidate Kenny Deery. The high-profile business leader, who entered the race for a City Council seat earlier this month, is accusing the Government of “driving a bus through its own timelines”, adding that “nobody is calling it out” at a local level.
Noting that consultation on the Galway Transport Strategy began in 2014, the outgoing Galway Chamber Chief Executive said it is incredibly frustrating that we are 10 years further down the road and little or nothing has happened, in terms of meaningful delivery. “It’s completely unacceptable, and it doesn’t make sense that everyone is just accepting the status quo. We desperately need to see some positive discrimination in favour of Galway,” he added.
“There were Oireachtas Hearings in 2018 and a lot of frustration at the time about the lack of delivery. A statutory review was due in 2021, but has yet to be published, and now the original Strategy is going to be replaced with a draft Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS ). There’s no doubt that it’s an evolving plan, but we’re way behind schedule. Private industry would not accept this. Nobody seems to have line of sight on it, and yet the inaction is not being called out at local government level,” continued Mr Deery.
In his role as CEO of Galway Chamber, Mr Deery lobbied at local, national and European level to ensure recognition for Galway and its transport needs. In late 2019, he led the establishment of the Get Galway Moving Strategy, and was instrumental in the later formation of the Greater Galway Forum. Across the last five years, he continued his efforts, leading delegations to both Leinster House and the European Parliament.
“There have been years of consultation and there is no doubt that the Galway City Ring Road is critical in delivering a progressive Galway of the future, enabling bus connects, safe cycling infrastructure, and pedestrianisation of the urban core. The lack of progress is leading to paralysis and the time has come for action,” he said.
Reflecting on last weekend’s Green Party Convention, Mr Deery was critical of Transport Minister Eamon Ryan. “Speaking at the event in Dublin, the Minister addressed the needs in Limerick and Waterford but completely neglected Galway. I have huge ambition for Galway and for the region, but we are being held to ransom due to a lack of focus on delivery. Local government has been accepting the excuses and allowing this to happen for far too long. It’s time for change.”
