Cork Business Association Meets Transport Minister to Advance Cork's Future

Cork Business Association (CBA) has held a meeting with Minister for Transport, Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, to discuss critical transport priorities for Cork city.

The talks focused on both immediate actions and longer-term infrastructure planning needed to support Cork's continued growth. Short-term measures discussed included the imminent extension of National Transport Authority (NTA) statutory planning powers to Cork, a planned review of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) in 2026, and progress on the Cork Luas Emerging Preferred Route.

Rail infrastructure also featured prominently, with the delivery of new stations at Dunkettle and Blackpool/Kilbarry forming part of the Cork Area Commuter Rail project.

CBA pressed for action on underperforming city bus services and called for the acceleration of BusConnects Cork. The Association also stressed the need to progress enabling infrastructure, including Park and Ride facilities at Dunkettle and Ballincollig, the Cork Northern Distributor Road, improved connectivity to Cork Airport, improved connectivity via Great Island Road to support Docklands development, and future rail links to Cork Airport, Carrigaline, and Ringaskiddy.

With over 149,500 daily car commuters and a growing population, CBA described transport capacity as a critical issue for Cork's economic development and livability.

The Association reiterated its commitment to securing statutory backing for CMATS, immediate delivery of Park and Ride infrastructure, acceleration of BusConnects Cork, and the establishment of a dedicated transport delivery unit co-located at City Hall.

CBA expressed appreciation to Minister O'Brien, Seamus McGrath TD, Jerry Buttimer TD, and Pádraig O'Sullivan TD for their engagement, and thanked Kevin Burke of the DBFL Transport team for his input and advice.

More information is available at corkbusiness.ie.