Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 2

Written Answers. - Dublin Traffic.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

26 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he plans any additional measures to deal with Dublin's continuing traffic problems; the progress made to date in implementing the Dublin traffic action plan; if he will continue Operation Freeflow on an all year round basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2047/99]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

44 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has had an evaluation of Operation Freeflow and subsequent traffic management initiatives; if he has had further proposals to ease traffic congestion in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2060/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 44 together.

Within the framework of the DTI strategy and the DTO short-term action plan a wide range of initiatives is being taken to respond to the growth in traffic in the Dublin area. These include major infrastructural projects such as the Luas, the Dublin Port Tunnel and the completion of the Dublin C-Ring; improvements in public transport, through the provision of QBCs, additional buses, additional rolling stock for DART and suburban rail, and the upgrading of suburban rail lines and improvements in traffic and parking management.

The DTO short-term action plan, which has been broadly endorsed by the Government, is designed to advance and accelerate a set of measures, consistent with the DTI strategy, which can be completed in the period up to end 2000. Its focus is on public transport enhancement, traffic and parking management and the provision of cycling facilities. Detailed objectives include: completion by end 2000 of the original 11 QBC network and the provision of a QBC serving Ballymun; provision by end of 1999 of an additional 150 buses by Dublin Bus; provision of additional rolling stock for DART; lengthening of 12 outer suburban and key DART station platforms; upgrading of Maynooth-Clonsilla rail line and completion of 160 kilometres of cycle tracks by end 2000.

Implementation of the short-term action plan is being undertaken by the various local authorities and CIE under the co-ordination of the DTO. The 1999 Estimates include an increased provision of £24 million for the DTO, up from £9 million in 1998 and £7 million in 1997 – to fund key elements of the short-term action plan, and £17 million for the provision of additional buses.

Since the publication of the short-term action plan the Minister for Finance has also announced in the Budget Statement: an additional £2 million towards the cost of pilot park and ride facilities in the Dublin area; the inclusion in the forthcoming Finance Act of tax incentives to promote park and ride facilities and of provisions to remove BIK taxation of public transport passes provided by employers for their employees, and a review of the potential for BIK taxation of workplace parking.

For the longer term, the DTO has begun the process of updating the original DTI strategy. This will lead to the publication of a revised and updated strategy for the period 2000 to 2016 and a detailed investment and implementation programme for the period 2000 to 2006. The intention is to complete this updating work by end 1999, with an interim report not later than mid-year to assist the preparation of the new National Development Plan.

The general view of the principal agencies involved is that the recent Operation Freeflow achieved considerable success. The possibility of extending this initiative beyond the Christmas period is now being considered.