asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to consider the desirability of taking steps to deal with the very bad traffic congestion which at presents exists throughout the City of Dublin.
- Dublin Traffic Congestion.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to Deputy Con Lehane on July 5th last in regard to traffic congestion at Butt Bridge. As in the case of Butt Bridge, the relief of traffic congestion throughout the City of Dublin, in so far as traffic control can affect it, is primarily a matter for the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and, in so far as engineering works are concerned, a matter for the Dublin Corporation. These authorities have the matter under constant consideration and will continue to take steps to afford whatever relief may be found to be feasible. I would remind the Deputy, however, that there does not appear to be any easy, quick or inexpensive answer to this question. The construction of new bridges involves interference with property and buildings, very heavy capital expenditure and the use of scarce and expensive materials. Further restrictions on traffic involve interference with business and the different categories of persons using the streets.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider the possibility of reducing the chaos by prohibiting persons living within three miles of the centre of Dublin from bringing their cars in and parking them on the streets all day?
The trouble about that is the Minister for Local Government has no function in that respect. I would remind the Deputy of the reply I have just given, that it is on the initiative of the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána that steps are taken with regard to parking.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the suggestion in conjunction with the Commissioner?
Yes.