asked the Minister for Local Government whether there is an overall plan to alleviate traffic congestion in Dublin city; if so, if he will give details of such plan; and when it may be expected to become effective.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Traffic Congestion.
14.
This is primarily a matter for the Dublin Corporation acting in conjunction with the other authorities concerned. However, in view of the importance of the issue and the need to remove certain misconceptions I shall reply in some detail.
First, I should like to remind the House that our resources are limited and that there are demands for services such as housing, health and education as well as for roads and transport. On the money available for roads other parts of the country besides Dublin have their claims and these have to be considered.
Second, it cannot be expected that a single plan can be produced to give an effective solution by a stated date to the traffic problems of Dublin. If this were possible, other countries with far greater resources would have solved the traffic problems of their capital cities long ago. The issue requires continual attention. With the natural increase in the city's population, the growth in economic activity and the increase in prosperity and consequently in the ownership of motor vehicles, the demands on the street system are bound to increase.
It is necessary therefore to envisage activity on different fronts—traffic management measures to get better value from the existing streets, a construction programme for the immediate future of such priority schemes as can be undertaken with the resources likely to be available in that period, longer term measures involving more ambitious road schemes and possibly other transport arrangements and, of course, the overall physical planning of the city and its environs. Regional planning also has a part to play.
Continuing studies are likely to be required to develop from time to time the best solutions for these several but related purposes, taking account of conditions as they change, and I have no doubt the corporation will initiate such studies as they consider appropriate at the proper time.
On the basis of the studies undertaken to date a number of steps have been and are being taken. Various traffic control measures have been introduced in the centre city and the radials from it, and other measures are in mind. For instance, after consulting the corporation, the Commissioner of the Garda submitted for my consent on 7th instant bye-laws which would enable parking meters to be introduced. In accordance with the statutory procedure I am considering these.
The corporation have outlined a fiveyear programme of road works in their draft development plan. Recently they submitted a proposal for an inner tangent ring road for my approval in principle and this is being considered. The corporation are at present examining a report on parking and, in the meantime, are proceeding with certain projects. For example, they have invited development proposals for a multistorey park at Bride Street. These are some of the steps being taken at present. As I have indicated, further steps will be taken from time to time.