The disclosure that Department of Transport officials privately concluded Budget 2026 would not permit any new public transport services represents a depressing indictment of this Government’s priorities. That government maintained a 2:1 ratio of public transport funding over roads investment. The National Development Plan now allocates €10.1 billion to public transport and €9.7 billion to roads over the 2026-2030 period. The economic and social costs of inadequate public transport are well documented. Each year of under-investment compounds these problems and delays the benefits that an integrated, efficient public transport network would deliver.

Source: The Irish Times January 08, 2026 15:48 UTC