Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I will engage with him on the other question.

The Minister has agreed that traffic congestion has a negative effect on people's lives, including stress as a result of getting in to work late and reducing quality family time. It has a negative impact on economic activity too. It is important to have more than what the Minister referred to, which are short-term measures. I am more interested in hearing about the long-term strategic policy decisions taken by the Department to ensure free flow on the M50.

The Minister alluded to changes to junctions and the fact that there are greater numbers of vehicles and response times. Earlier this year there was an accident on the M50. As a consequence, not only was the M50 blocked up but there was gridlock throughout the greater Dublin area. To be fair, I do not believe the Minister has outlined or articulated exactly how he plans to deal with this in a strategic manner over the coming year or two years.

The Minister alluded to something that may take 36 months and which is going to tender now. I did not understand that. Will the Minister elaborate further on that point?

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