Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I wanted to ask the Taoiseach about his visit to London, but there is nothing more to be said on the matter. All the democratic parties in the House support the Taoiseach in what he has said.

Has the Government any proposals to address traffic chaos on the west side of the city? On 28 December, the Minister of State with responsibility for traffic, Deputy Callely, announced, as reported in The Irish Times, that he would bring National Toll Roads to heel on its proposed 20% increase in tolls. People would be prepared to pay reasonable tolls if there were not inordinate delays. As I am sure the Taoiseach knows, impossible circumstances are created in the entire west of Dublin especially at peak morning and evening times for commuters crossing the Westlink bridge or coming in from the adjacent counties of Kildare and Meath.

Clearly, nothing came of Deputy Callely's involvement and a 20% hike was imposed on the toll against a background of inflation of 2.2%. More importantly, imminent works to renovate the M50, including the construction of a grade separation at the Red Cow, will make things impossibly worse. Has the Government any proposals to alleviate the plight of motorists on the M50 and adjoining roads? Has the Taoiseach examined the contract which allowed for the construction of bridges? Is it the case that it would cost €400 million to buy back the Westlink bridge? Is the Taoiseach satisfied about the circumstances in which the contract was concluded? Are we precluded from building another bridge? Whatever the circumstances, we cannot attempt to create grade separations and an additional lane on either side of the M50 with all of the disruption that implies while continuing to allow the obstruction caused by the toll plaza. At the very least, some temporary relief will have to be negotiated with National Toll Roads consistent with its contract to allow people to travel to and from work while the refurbishment works are being carried out.

See this speech in context