Vol. 405 No. 1
8 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if, in view of the continuing serious traffic and transport problems in Dublin, he will consider the re-establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I see no compelling reason at this time to consider re-establishing the Dublin Transport Authority, who were dissolved at the end of 1987 as part of the Government's overall strategy to reduce public expenditure. In general, I am satisfied that the Dublin Transportation Task Force, which was reconstituted following the dissolution of the Authority, is producing substantial benefits without incurring the administrative and other costs necessarily associated with a statutory authority.
My detailed reply to Deputy Rabbitte's Question No. 45 on 12 June 1990, columns 1944-45, outlined the work of the Dublin Transportation Task Force in combating traffic congestion and in promoting the greater use of public transport. That work is being intensified and the task force's allocation has been raised to £200,000 for 1991. In particular, proposals are well advanced to give significantly more priority to buses. I am hopeful that these proposals will receive full support from Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council.
I should, perhaps, mention that considerable additional resources are being directed by the Garda and traffic wardens to combating illegal parking, which badly affects buses and other road users. In addition, both Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council are strengthening controls on road openings.
I shall continue to monitor closely the work of the task force in order to maximise their effectiveness.
Needless to say, a Cheann Comhairle, I am very disappointed with the Minister's reply. Is the Minister not aware that every morning in Dublin, for example, 77,000 cars cross the inner cordon between 8.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. and that this avalanche of steel and the clouds of pollution that descend daily on the citizens of Dublin city must be controlled? Would the Minister not agree that the major reason traffic in Dublin city is chaotic is that there is no single body in charge and that at present responsibilities are divided between three Government Departments, the Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications, who have responsibility for public transport, the Department of the Environment, who have responsibility for roads, and the Department of Justice who have responsibility for implementing the traffic laws——
The Deputy seems to be imparting a lot of information rather than seeking it. This is Question Time.
Given that three Government Departments, local authorities, and CIE are involved——
The Deputy has made his point.
——the only way to control and bring about a proper transportation policy for the city is to have one body, as was envisaged under the Dublin Transport Authority.
There is much in what the Deputy has said and I told him previously I continue to consider the points he is making. As a result of the Deputy's continued questioning, I am considering giving additional functions to the task force to take them into more directly related policy matters. The task force do a fair amount of work on bus lanes and in the whole area of traffic flows and clearway signs. That is all very practical work which is valuable in helping with traffic congestion. I take the Deputy's point and I will continue to monitor the situation.
If the remaining Question No. 9, in the name of Deputy Moynihan, is to be taken it must be replied to now.
