John Bruton
Question:36 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will seek the assignment of special responsibility for Dublin traffic to a Minister of State at his Department. [18929/97]
Written Answers. - Dublin Traffic.
Ivan Yates
Question:40 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to establish a ministerial task force to co-ordinate the various areas of responsibility between the Departments of Environment and Local Government, Public Enterprise and Justice, Equality and Law Reform to deal with the issue of traffic congestion, particularly in the Dublin area. [18453/97]
Pat Rabbitte
Question:56 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the planned review of the Dublin Transport Initiative by the Dublin Transportation Office has commenced; if so, when it is intended that it will be completed; the plans, if any, he has for new initiatives to improve traffic flow pending its completion and in view of the rapidly deteriorating traffic situation in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20185/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 40 and 56 together.
I do not consider that arrangements for transport management in Dublin would be improved by assigning responsibilities in this regard to a Minister of State or by establishing a ministerial task force. On the contrary, I believe that the priority should be to support the recently established Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) in its task of co-ordinating and driving the implementation of the Dublin Transport Initiative; and to ensure also that the role of director of traffic, Dublin Corporation is fully operationalised.
DTO has already secured high level and multiagency participation in its work, together with active input from local authorities and interested bodies. Infrastructural and management initiatives are now well under way to implement the DTI strategy. The director of traffic, Dublin Corporation is working towards new and intensified measures for traffic management and enforcement.
In accordance with its mandate, DTO had recently commenced work on reviewing and updating the DTI strategy and expects to make an interim report within six months. This process is designed to adapt the DTI strategy to changing circumstances, to renew its impetus and identify any new initiatives required, including those of an institutional nature.