Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I am particularly sensitive that I will be followed by another big hitter in Fine Gael.

I see more to welcome in this Bill than Deputy Bruton does. It offers great prospects for the future of Dublin's transport system. I often mention Tallaght in my contributions and, on this occasion, I speak as a proud Dubliner. Members from the west are probably fascinated to hear so much about Dublin, although I am sure Senator Butler's guests from Foxrock, who are in the Gallery, will understand my accent better than those of some other speakers. People often think I was born in Tallaght but that is not the case. I was born locally in Holles Street, went to school on Clarendon Street and lived on Stephen Street.

That is a bygone era. Some Members will be surprised I am so old but I recall looking out from my grandmother's house on the corner of Stephen Street and South Great George's Street and seeing tram tracks being pulled up. I make this point not to be negative but to emphasise that caution is required in the provision of all our infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure. What was done in my childhood days has come back to haunt the city, if not the nation. It is important we put in place infrastructure that will last and which meets people's needs. I recognise that Ireland consists of more than Dublin but the city and its environs comprise a large population centre. It is vital we provide adequate infrastructure in the city.

The requirement for a Dublin transport authority was originally outlined as part of the launch of Transport 21 in November 2005. A small team, chaired by Professor Margaret O'Mahony of Trinity College, was established to make recommendations on the functions, structure and organisation of the proposed authority. This body reported in March 2006 and the Government approved the drafting of legislation in July 2006. In accordance with the commitment in Towards 2016, the report was published and submissions were invited from interested parties.

The programme for Government agreed in June 2007 committed the new Government, comprising Fianna Fáil, the Progressive Democrats, the Green Party and some Independents, to expediting the establishment of the Dublin transport authority. Following his appointment, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, initiated a review of the draft legislation, which was completed earlier this year. This review resulted in improvements to the Bill in several areas, particularly in regard to the interaction between land use and transport planning, public transport service provision and accountability of the authority.

The authority's functional area will comprise the greater Dublin area, incorporating the geographical remits of Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council, as well as Kildare, Meath and Wicklow county councils. The authority will have overall responsibility for surface transport in the greater Dublin area. The Bill puts in place the structures necessary to rationalise and streamline the planning and implementation of transport infrastructure and services in the region. The authority will have a clear mandate to transform the transport system in the capital and will have unambiguous statutory authority to implement its mandate. Fundamental to that will be the development of an integrated transport system.

I do not claim that transport infrastructure and services in Dublin are perfect. I live in Tallaght, which is the third largest population centre in the State. The Acting Chairman will allow me to speak about Tallaght because other colleagues have referred to every street in Drogheda and elsewhere. I am sure many streets in Kildare will be mentioned in due course. I have a particular understanding of this issue, going back to my time as a county councillor. I notice the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, has entered the Chamber. He was a far more famous county councillor than I in those days but we soldiered together. I did not wait until last year to admit that we often found common ground and generally worked well together. Following the break-up of Dublin Corporation in 1994, I was elected to South Dublin County Council where transport infrastructure soon emerged as an important political issue.

I am proud of what has been achieved in the area of transport. However, I acknowledge — to coin a phrase — that there is a lot done and a lot more to do. I heard the fine contribution earlier by the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh. As a person from the inner city, I was glad to hear the commitment he gave to safeguard the ducks in St. Stephen's Green, which is an important issue for me and my granddaughter. He also made the point that he will continue to make use of public transport. I am aware the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, also uses public transport, as well as riding his bicycle. I have not ridden a bicycle for a long time but I am always happy to use public transport, whenever that is possible. I would have preferred not to drive into the city today but I had to bring my car because I am collecting a large quantity of material on the Lisbon treaty. I could not bring that home on the Luas.

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