Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 6

Written Answers. - Traffic Management.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

104 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he proposes that the relevant planning authorities will ensure that their planning decisions are linked to the planned development of the transport infrastructure for the greater Dublin area; his plans to reintroduce a Bill with new provisions for urban planning and transport planning structures; and his views on whether the existing institutions can provide the correct level of planning integration. [16944/03]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

123 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his proposals for the future decision making structures for transport and traffic in the greater Dublin Area; the status of the proposed greater Dublin land-use and transport authority; the way in which he intends to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16855/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 123 together.

The DTO policy document, A Platform for Change, sets out a comprehensive integrated strategy to respond to the transportation needs of the greater Dublin area – GDA – in the period to 2016.

In this context a local authority-DTO regional traffic management steering group has been established to provide a strong regional focus for traffic management in the GDA and to provide a forum to lead policy development and implementation of the traffic management elements of Platform for Change, for which local authorities have primary responsibility. The steering group is chaired by the director of traffic. I fully support the establishment of this group and my Department is represented on it.

The DTO has also commissioned a regional freight study to determine the origin and destination patterns of goods distribution and to forecast future demand. It will identify strategies for general goods distribution and for freight trips to and from Dublin port, Dún Laoghaire port and Dublin Airport. It will also review the scope for improved goods distribution strategies, including consolidation centres, night-time deliveries, as well as considering pricing strategies, loading, layover and general distribution management.

With regard to changes in the institutional arrangements for strategic land use and transport planning in the GDA I have already indicated that I am reviewing proposals for legislation in this area and further considering the precise role and remit of any proposed overarching agency. We need to be clear about the value added of introducing a new agency into an already complicated institutional structure. In the meantime the joint work of the Dublin and mid-east regional authorities in the development of the regional planning guidelines to give effect to the national spatial strategy and the DTO provide good arrangements for the better integration of land use and transport planning in the GDA and for ensuring that development planning and control are aligned with the planned development of transport infrastructure in the GDA.