Fianna Fail has described the handling of the College Green Plaza project as "chaotic".

An Bord Pleanála has been forced to delay its decision as it is attempting to catch up on a backlog of planning cases.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport Robert Troy TD said: "The project was first announced by Dublin City Council in 2016 but over two years later we are still waiting to hear whether or not it will get the go ahead.

"Dublin Bus first raised concerns over the impact the plaza would have on its cross-city services, with the NTA stating that its support for the project was contingent on Dublin Bus being permitted to run two-way services on Parliament Street. Then the NTA reversed its decision. The public hearings on the proposal were also postponed as a result of an administrative blunder. Now it transpires that a decision on the project will not be made until October at the earliest as a result of a planning backlog in An Bord Pleanála.

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"It's shocking that there is such a cloud of uncertainty hanging over this project considering its impact on public transport services. Dublin Bus have already stated that they cannot begin to redesign bus routes to alleviate traffic congestion until they know what the future of College Green is. This means that the ongoing traffic congestion in the city centre is set to continue in the months ahead and this will have a detrimental impact on the entire bus network across Dublin.

"Minister Ross has serious questions to answer regarding why he has not been pushing his Government colleagues for adequate resources to allow An Bord Pleanála complete its work on time considering the importance of the College Green Plaza project for public transport services in Dublin."

(CD/MH)