Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I also support the motion. This issue affects us all, even though I live in Monaghan. People from my area can now travel to Dublin in a shorter time. The journey to the airport now only takes one and a half hours because the construction of bypasses has led to improved journey times. If people want to travel south from Monaghan to Wexford, they will encounter traffic, with commuters travelling to and from work in Dublin. A bypass or outer ring road bypassing Dublin further along the route is needed. The payment of tolls also slows up traffic. It does not make sense for people to be caught in traffic for a long period queuing to pay a tax to commute to and from work. One can travel through other cities much quicker owning to the fact that they tend to make better use of flyovers and bypasses than we do.

We could improve the position by establishing a public agency to co-ordinate the operation of trams, trains and buses. The motion also proposes the introduction of additional buses, for which there is a great need in Dublin. Somebody mentioned a figure of €50 million per year. If such a cost resulted in people getting to and from work in a shorter time, it would be taxpayer's money well spent. That is what a good public transport system is about.

A more frequent service is required on bus routes and the service should commence earlier in the morning and continue later at night. We also need a more equitable pricing system. It is not equitable that a worker and a child are required to pay the same fare; a child should pay half the adult fare. That would make sense.

Train stations are a target for criminals. Additional staff should be employed to ensure commuters who travel by train will feel safe, particularly vulnerable commuters travelling late at night.

I waited with bated breath to see how Operation Freeflow would work out but it does not appear to be working well. It does not appear to be the success that it was advertised or intended to be. The aim was certainly laudable, but it has not worked.

However unpalatable it might be, we must look at what has worked in London. A congestion charge was introduced and it appears to be popular with people. We should look at this if we want to free up our cities.

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