John Ellis (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I will be sharing time with Deputies Glennon and Fiona O'Malley.

One can understand why this Private Members' motion has been tabled but we should examine the causes of some of these problems when considering the entire issue. We must accept that the economic progress experienced by the country, especially Dublin, has resulted in a very high number of vehicle registrations. Approximately 120,000 vehicles are now being registered annually. While these vehicles represent a significant contribution to our traffic problems, they are the result of the progress made in our economy and the fact that Irish people have become accustomed to using cars and are not prepared to give up their transport independence, so it will be difficult to persuade them to use public transport.

There has been widespread discussion about the volume of traffic on the M50. When the M50 first opened, it carried 9,000 vehicles per day but it now carries closer to 90,000. It is no wonder, therefore, that problems arise. These problems are being addressed through the ongoing upgrade of the motorway but delays and inconvenience will be inevitable while these roadworks are in progress.

Many would agree that the toll booths on the M50 are not the most effective means of collecting tolls. If we are going to collect tolls, we should consider replacing the present system with barrier free tolling or other mechanisms. The present system allows 600 to 700 vehicles per hour to pass through each lane, whereas a barrier free system would allow up to 1,700. The Government's proposal to buy out the tolls is commendable and even though reform is not coming quickly enough for everybody, the Government cannot be seen to be prepared to throw endless money at National Toll Roads, which will naturally seek the highest price it can.

Next week will see the opening of the port tunnel, a major engineering feat which will divert a large number of heavy vehicles away from the city centre. I hope, however, that people will be tolerant of any teething problems the tunnel may experience when it first opens. If the current volume of heavy vehicles travelling along the quays was diverted elsewhere, significant improvements would result in terms of the free movement of traffic.

A number of additional quality bus corridors have been designated, which is welcome. However, it is not particularly easy to persuade people to make greater use of public transport. The Luas has proven a success, with the numbers of passengers using it increasing on a weekly basis, and I expect the metro will be similarly successful. However, we must accept that despite the improvements being made, many of the existing problems are not due to lack of investment but result from the volume of vehicles on our roads. In that regard, car traffic will move more freely once heavy goods vehicles leave the city centre.

Significant investments have been made in other forms of public transport, including rail, and on the road network. The purchase of new trains and carriages have allowed for a 25% increase in capacity on the Maynooth line, 40% on the Dundalk line and 30% on the Gorey line. Ongoing upgrades on the track between Maynooth and Clonsilla and the 143 new diesel commuter rail cars now in operation will provide for a better service. I will be parochial and say I look forward to seeing new carriages on the Dublin-Sligo line by early next year and the resulting intercity standard of service.

I hope the various groups involved in developing the Dublin transport authority will commit to improving transport in the city. They need to be positive because if they decide to take a negative approach, they will cause enormous problems.

It is welcome that the new docklands station will open in April, four months ahead of schedule. However, if we are to take people out of their cars and put them on public transport, we will have to ensure our public transport system works. The Luas is a good and punctual transport system, which proves that, despite the early critics, it was a sound investment in terms of reducing traffic volumes.

It is regrettable that local authorities in the greater Dublin area did not take up the offer of money to develop park and ride facilities. I appeal to the local authorities concerned to provide sites for park and ride facilities because people will use them. None of us would welcome the fact that public money was left unspent.

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