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

I remember how the original introduction of a bus corridor or bus lane on the N11 was the subject of deep scepticism and there were predictions of dire consequences and arguments that nothing would work. Lo and behold, when we put in a high-quality and high-frequency public transport system, the public flocked to it in the same way it is doing with regard to Local Link services around the country according to the statistics I mentioned earlier. It increased the capacity and reduced congestion because there were fewer cars and it started to work. It is similar with BusConnects. First of all, we have to make it better quality in terms of a better cycling and walking experience and we have to improve the quality of the bus corridors. I am convinced that this is the only viable way. I live near the N11. The level of congestion we are seeing at the moment is beyond anything I have seen previously. We are seeing a really dramatic return to gridlock not just at rush hour as it is probably even worse at other times of the day and at weekends. South Dublin, including Dún Laoghaire, will not work if everyone is driving. It physically and mathematically cannot work. To make the alternative work, we have to give it space and priority. This can be difficult as we change. I understand concerns but the only way to tackle congestion is for us to switch to more sustainable modes at scale and at speed.