Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Troy has alluded to the question of increasing congestion and I accept what he said about trams, trains and buses. The Department needs a strategic plan for dealing with congestion to ensure work days do not get any longer than they have become. Delays for people commuting by car in Drogheda and east Meath, where I live, are increasing all the time and traffic speeds are being reduced. If one has to use the car, one has no alternative but to sit in longer queues. I know the metro has good proposals for strategic park-and-ride facilities around the Malahide estuary which would be hugely welcomed when they are in place. Is there any way we could fast-track some of those proposals?

What plans has the Minister for dealing with congestion, longer commute days and people getting home late at night? When I use the M1 motorway, the average speed, even at 10 o'clock at night, is 100 km/h. People are in long traffic queues. I fear for the issue now unless we deal with it strategically. In the context of his Department’s budget, how does the Minister plan to deal with this issue?