asked the Minister for Justice if in view of the dislocation of traffic in the rush hours in the centre of the city of Dublin he has any plans to deal with the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Rush Hour Traffic Conditions.
126.
It is quite unrealistic to expect that there could be any traffic-plan which would eliminate all congestion from the city centre at rush hours. The volume of motor traffic is constantly increasing, whereas the streets that have to carry the traffic were for the most part planned long before motor vehicles were invented.
As Deputies will be aware, much has already been done in the last year or so in the way of re-routing traffic, the creation of one-way streets, the elimination of parking and so on. There will, I think, be general agreement that these measures have led to a noticeable and substantial improvement. This is a continuing process and the matter is being constantly studied by Garda officers in consultation with officials of the Dublin Corporation and, where appropriate, representatives of C.I.E.
Is the Minister aware that most people regard the traffic situation as worse than before these regulations were made?
Obviously, I cannot agree with that. There is widespread agreement that there has been a very considerable improvement in the past year or so.
If the Minister would walk around, he would get an idea of the awful conditions that exist.
The Deputy may be offering me an argumentum ad hominem.
The Minister must be aware that an argumentum ad hominem excludes the possibility of unanimity.