asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals, if any, to prohibit the use of private motor vehicles in Dublin centre city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Motor Vehicle Prohibition.
3.
Under the Road Traffic Acts it is the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, acting in consultation with Dublin Corporation, who has the power to make by-laws prohibiting or restricting traffic in specified streets. There are no proposals before me for my consent to such by-laws.
Have the Government any proposals to curb private vehicles from entering the city centre as a statement was made by a Minister to this effect?
That is the question on the Order Paper and the Minister has answered it.
I am not sure whose responsibility it is, whether the Department of the Environment or the Department of Transport. I was of the impression that it was this Department but the Minister for Transport made the statement. I am wondering whether the Departments are at loggerheads as to who is responsible for what. That is why I put down this question. There does not appear to be any——
The Deputy should not make a speech.
Have the Government, in view of the Minister's statement, any positive proposals to eliminate private cars from the city centre?
There is no question of any Department being at loggerheads as regards this matter. Action is being taken in this matter and I am sure the interests of the Minister for Transport can well be appreciated in this instance. It was under the Minister for Transport and Power in late 1978 that the transport consultative commission were set up which are to report to the Minister shortly. Following their report, I am sure proposals will be coming before my Department.