Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

If I could be permitted to answer the question, pretty much all of the approach roads to the M50, including the N11, were due for major expansion. As I saw it, the previous plans for the N11 were major expansions in road capacity. They included all sorts of new construction, including going up over the Glen of the Downs. Some of the options were incredible, to my mind. In an effort to provide additional road car carrying capacity, it would get to gridlock at the M50. This is absolutely certain because we know the section of the M50 from Shankill to Carrickmines and beyond towards Stillorgan, would be completely congested. What was planned previously was a major expansion in the number of cars going into a gridlocked section of the M50. There were similar plans for the N3, N4, N7 and various other approach roads to the M50. In no way do I apologise for changing the policy. It was absolutely right to recognise that this strategy would not work.

We need transport systems that work and there will be various elements to this. We are proceeding with improving the N11. We will provide a significant sum of money to provide bus priority that gives an option for all those households in Wexford and Wicklow who need to get in and out quickly. The new design provides the bus priority and will be a big benefit to everyone because it will encourage people to get out of their cars and into buses, reducing the congestion on the road, on the M50 and the nearer approaches to the N11.

I think that is absolutely the right approach. It is subject still to much local opposition because people are concerned about some of the aspects of the measures. However, I believe the approach TII is taking in this case is the right one. We will absolutely fund it and deliver it support with great urgency.

I wish to add one more point though. That, on its own, will not be enough. I would like members’ support for us to extend the DART system to Wicklow. It could be done at relatively low cost with the installation of a charging point near Wicklow Station, which would allow us to run new contracted battery electric trains. We would also upgrade and do needed works on the section between Greystones and Bray, which will similarly be able to enhance the services not just to Greystones but also Wicklow town. That is as important in solving the problem we have with the N11 because it will provide much higher frequency for those who are currently commuting by car from Wicklow into Dublin. Having the DART alternative would take the traffic off the N11 and start going in a sustainable direction. That will all be delivered thanks to the policy – I do not mean to be party political – to move away from more road capacity, ever-expanding road junctions, ever-bigger carriageways and a car-dominated system that could not work. That has changed for certain.