Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

Committee on Budgetary Oversight

Macroeconomic Outlook: IBEC

2:00 pm

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In Mr. O'Brien's city of Kilkenny, the historic city is being knocked down in order to put roads in place. That is very 20th century. I am shocked that IBEC thinks that the approach it has to take now is to stick in the 20th century for another ten or 20 years and then we will get into the 21st century.

Our competitor cities are moving in the direction of smart travel and away from the use of cars towards not just public transport but also walking, cycling, pedestrianisation and public spaces. That will not come cheap. If IBEC keeps us stuck in the 20th century for another ten or 20 years, we will arrive 20 or 30 years late with cities that will not work. If those cities do not work, our economy will not work. That is the priority. Mr. O'Brien says that the priority is more motorways and interconnected highways. It is not, it is making our cities work. I was involved in the planning of the M50 but not another single car can be put onto it. There is no extra capacity. The problem cannot be solved by more traffic coming in on more roads. It is the same in Cork, Galway, Limerick or Waterford, but Mr. O'Brien says we have to go the road route. That is an incredible strategic mistake from IBEC. I do not hear it from the Dublin Chambers of Commerce or other business people because they know the reality of what is happening. Why is IBEC stuck in the 20th century?