Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 10

Written Answers. - Dublin Traffic Management.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

45 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if, in view of the increasing traffic problems being experienced in Dublin, he will consider the re-establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism and Transport (Mr. S. Brennan)

I see no compelling reason at this time to consider re-establishing the Dublin Transport Authority, which was dissolved at the end of 1987 as part of the Government's overall strategy to reduce public expenditure.

Since then, the co-ordination of efforts to combat traffic congestion and to promote and facilitate the use of public transport in the city has been a matter for the Dublin transportation task force, which was reconstituted by the Government specifically for that purpose. The task force is pursuing this aim by co-ordinating on a non-statutory basis the work of the various official bodies involved in traffic management and the provision of public transport services in Dublin and by devising and funding new traffic management and bus priority measures, where appropriate. In the latter area, for which a 1990 Exchequer allocation of £180,000 has been provided, the task force is, for example, continuing to invest in the expansion and enhancement of the city's closed circuit television (CCTV) traffic monitoring system, the computerised urban traffic control (UTC) system and in bus lane and other bus priority schemes. This work is supplemented by an action programme embracing such concerns as controls on road openings and the deposit of builders' skips, and parking arrangements for buses and coaches in the city centre. Indeed, the issue of parking generally, including the question of adequate arrangements for the enforcement of the relevant regulations, continues to receive particular attention. In addition, the task force has instituted arrangements to ensure that transportation considerations are fully taken into account by the Dublin planning authorities and by An Bord Pleanála, both as regards general policy and its application in specific instances.

In general, I am satisfied that the arrangements currently in place are producing substantial benefits without incurring the administrative and other costs necessarily associated with a statutory authority, but the position can be kept under review.