asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if, in view of the increasing traffic problems in Dublin and other larger cities, he intends to take any measures to promote the greater use of public transport, and especially to encourage car owners to use public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Public Transport.
9.
Up to recently, transport investment planning for the Dublin area was at a standstill pending an assessment of the various infrastructure options for the area. The log jam was broken following the Government decision that no further consideration should be given to the question of providing additional electrified rail services in the Dublin area. Instead, I instructed CIE to prepare transport investment plans for the Dublin area involving only bus-based options or diesel services on existing rail lines.
The Dublin Transportation Task Force is being reconstituted on a non-statutory basis to take over from the Dublin Transport Authority functions formerly exercised by the original task force, whose main objective was to promote an environment in which private car commuters would transfer to public transport. The experience gained by the DTA will be of benefit in this work.
Every effort is made to keep CIE fares at the lowest possible levels, taking account of the costs of providing services and the financial resources of CIE. In this way, the wider and increased use of public transport in Dublin, in other large cities and throughout the country, is promoted.
In relation to those other cities, it is a matter for the local authorities concerned, in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and, where appropriate with his consent, to implement traffic management measures to reduce traffic congestion. This will provide more favourable conditions for the operation of public transport services in those cities.
The Minister said that central to his plans with regard to city transport is the encouragement of commuters to move from the car to public transport services. Can the Minister explain why he took the extraordinary decision that CIE should develop no further DART services for the city? Is the Minister not aware that research by CIE shows that the only appreciable area of transfer from private cars to public transport in recent decades has been on the DART system? Would the Minister not accept that the development of DART services is the only serious proposal that would in any way encourage people out of their motor cars and on to public transport in the foreseeable future?
I accept that latter part of Deputy McCartan's thesis. Undoubtedly the DART encouraged a change from private to public transport in the area which it covers. To provide a similar type operation to other parts of Dublin and suburbs would mean the expenditure of hundreds of millions of pounds. I am not in a position to make any plans on that basis.
This is central to the development of public transport. If the Minister does not commit the money needed to develop rapid transport systems like DART the alternative in the interim will be to spend as much money building and developing roads in Dublin in order to keep transport moving. Does the Minister accept that at some stage the Government must make a decision to make a major capital investment in public transport as opposed to investing in road development? Will the Minister say whether or not in his Department or within the Government there is any active consideration of that major political issue at this stage?
At the moment consideration is not being given to that issue. The announcement I made that CIE were to be directed to develop their services based on bus operations and on rails already existing and using diesel cars is the policy to which CIE are addressing themselves at the moment.
In view of the Government's continued policy of indiscriminate "quangocide", does the Minister agree that people living outside the "gold coast" in places like Tallaght are entitled to a public transport system? Since he has explained to the House that it would cost some hundreds of millions which are not available to the Government, would he, therefore, entertain an application from the private sector for the provision of such a service?
If the Deputy comes up with somebody with £400 million in the morning, I will talk to him.
What about the fellow with two buses?
Question No. 10, please.
I should like to ask another supplementary question.
The Deputy's final question must be brief and precise. His questions tend to be long and unwieldy.
The Minister has directed CIE to consider bus and diesel rail as the two main area of concentration. On what basis did the Department decide on those two modes of transport and what potential does the Minister see for either of them in effecting a substantial improvement in the transportation problems of cities like Dublin?
I have answered, at least by implication, the first part of the Deputy's supplementary in that those were the two remaining options when rapid rail was excluded. Rapid rail was excluded simply because the money is not available for its development. Secondly, CIE will apply the expertise they have developed over the years to the bus and diesel rail options in order to give a satisfactory transport system.
The Minister for Transport should be on his bike.
Is the Deputy snapping at me?
Not in Christmas week.