Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I realise this was not an original question. However, I hoped for an original answer. The Minister knows as well as I that traffic conditions in Dublin deteriorate daily and will continue to do so in the short to medium term with the building of various transport projects such as metro and Luas, the intensification of work on the M50 and growth in the economy and population. The general growth in and desire for mobility means transport conditions can only deteriorate.

The truth of the matter is that we have had 100 extra buses in the past few months, not all of which are in operation. This means that in the past five years we had an average of 20 extra buses per year. This does not begin to deal with existing demand, never mind the growth we saw in the past ten years. The Minister referred to radial routes. Bus lanes are underutilised by buses. The Minister suggests that because we have 100 more buses, the service will somehow improve. It disimproves daily and the evidence is before our eyes.

The Minister promised the DTA would be established, liberalisation of the bus market and that the private sector would be invited to provide additional buses. We were promised this before this term started. We are now promised it will happen before the end of the Dáil term. Will it happen? Is it true the Taoiseach is firmly set against it and has decided it will not happen because it would step on too many toes? If it is to happen, will the Minister tell us when, even in an interim form? I understand the Taoiseach thinks it is in operation. Will the Minister clarify when it will come into operation, when the legislation will be published and passed and when buses will begin to be put on the streets of Dublin? It is the only real measure that can be taken in the short term.

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