Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I wish Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher, well in his new appointment. As this is my first speech in the House, I wish to thank the people of Wicklow for electing me.

Having studied the Bill, I believe it is both practical and progressive for an era with multi-car households and high volume traffic. Even as we strive to improve public transport provisions, it is noteworthy that other countries with much better services also have barrier-free tolling in place. The caveat is that just because we improve tolling efficiency and speed up throughput, this may be taken as carte blanche for applying tolls everywhere and anywhere. Such initiatives must be justifiable and a quid pro quo for an efficient tolling system should be reflected in toll costings and in the reviews that take place. We do not want to replicate the experience on the M50 where an increase in the toll was approved as part of a contract, when it was clearly shown this was unnecessary.

One of the concerns already highlighted relates to the application of default fines. We can apply EU laws right across the European Union when it suits us. Is it odd that when a car is insured by a Polish company, for example, to cover travel in Ireland, it should be liable for fines in this jurisdiction? I am taking Poland as an example. Across the EU there is harmonisation of all Community legislation, so it should be possible to implement this.

As regards the M50 the only concern is the timeframe, which is more than a year ahead and this in particular should be prioritised. As an aside, yesterday the figure of 1 million was reached for trucks going through the port tunnel, a great testament to its success. However, I heard on one of the vox pops that a bus driver who was using it and got a round of applause from his passengers has been told he can no longer use it. I urge a review of the usage of the port tunnel so public transport vehicles are the next class of carrier to be able to use it without incurring charges. This probably would alleviate traffic, especially that which is heading north. I have had occasion to use the tunnel once or twice while running late when the charge was €6, outside the time when the charge is €12. When there are two or three people in the car who will otherwise miss a flight it certainly seems like good value.

On the issue of the high quality dual carriageway, this proposal has a harmonising effect as regards high quality roads and motorways and speed limits, signage, etc. Since everyone else has been given latitude as regards being parochial, I wish to ask that Euroroute 1, Larne-Rosslare, which includes the N11, be included in that along with the major urban routes. However, this would mean completion of the final 11 km from the Beehive to Scratnagh Cross in Wicklow. This road has caused carnage in the past couple of months. The €750,000 in Government funding for improvements is welcome but the volume of traffic is such that when people emerge from the motorway or dual carriage, which now extends to the Border, they find it difficult to come to terms with this stretch of road. Regardless of speed limits and traffic management, people are involved in major and minor accidents every week. I know it is mentioned in the latest development plan, but there is no timeframe. If it was to start tomorrow it would still be 15 months before construction would begin.

I am sure the Government will not quote statistics that indicate the extra kilometres of motorway being provided include roads that might be upgraded. I presume only new motorway statistics will be included when the statistics are published. As regards service areas, the road from the Border to the Beehive, which is continuous motorway and dual carriageway, extends over 150 km and there are not more than two pull-over points in either direction. There is a requirement for five or six rest areas. About 14 months ago the NRA put local authorities on notice that it would enforce its right to object to planning permissions on or near interchanges, including those that provided for rest areas. If this is a new initiative from the NRA, I welcome it, but it appears to fly in the face of the notice given at that stage. I would like clarification in this regard. Nonetheless, it appears to be a welcome initiative, reflecting as it does best practice on health and safety grounds for truck drivers in particular, who are mandatorily obliged to take certain periods of rest.

Car-parking at stadia, especially at major venues, and not just in Dublin, is also of some concern. In Thurles, for example, it is a particular problem for local people, and the by-laws should be introduced in consultation with both residents and local businesses. All classes of stadia in future will be used for more than just sport, because they have the infrastructure and are modern and people want such facilities. Certainly, the people who suffer continuously in this regard should be considered.

Finally, the taxi regulations are generally welcome. However, by-laws in towns in particular should allow for non-taxi people who do not enjoy taxi rank facilities to park in despatch areas, load bays, etc. without incurring the obligation to pay a parking fee. The current arrangement is unfair because as a hackney operator expressed it to me, he does not make money when his car is parked outside a despatch office. Invariably such people have to pay €1 or €1.50 and this should be taken into consideration. I realise it is a matter for the local authorities, but it is something on which the Department should give a directive.

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