Vol. 481 No. 4
19 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps, if any, he will take to deal with the chronic traffic situation in Dublin in view of the serious economic and environmental problems it is creating, particularly in view of the further delays in the LUAS project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16216/97]
The Government is committted to the implementation of the integrated transport strategy for the greater Dublin area set out in the final report of the Dublin Transport Initiative (DTI). The Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) has been established to co-ordinate and drive this strategy, in co-operation with the implementing agencies concerned.
Infrastructural investment, co-financed by the EU under the Operational Programme for Transport, 1994 to 1999, is taking place in public transport services, major road construction and traffic management improvements. A director of traffic has been appointed in Dublin Corporation to bring executive efficiency and concentration to traffic management administration in the city. Operation Freeflow is providing a continued intensification of enforcement effort to support observance of traffic regulations in Dublin.
Benefits already accruing from this integrated strategy include increased use of public transport and of other sustainable forms of transport. The DTI strategy is however premised on the reality that there is no simple or short-term solution to the problem of traffic congestion in Dublin.
It is intended that DTO will shortly begin a first formal review of DTI in order to adjust the strategy to these changes and to renew its impetus. Within the powers and resources available to me as Minister for the Environment and Local Government I intend fully to support the DTO and the implementing agencies within my remit in their efforts to promote sustainable transport for Dublin.
