Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will take the Deputy's question in two parts, if I may. He has made a good point about there being less long-term thinking than short-term thinking - I think that is the point he is making. That is apparent probably in the plans made by the two bodies, the NTA and TII, to which I referred. There is a need on the part of the Department, myself and, in particular, the bodies run by me in this Department to have a better long-term vision. I am going to require a better long-term vision from them. This is reflected in some ways by what I offered Deputy Troy today, including certain variable speed limits and various high-speed ways of addressing problems.

However, we need to address the problem of 140,000 cars on the M50 every day. We need to address the problems which are much wider, which are being met by metro north, the port tunnel and other areas, and which are to divert people from their motor cars and bring them to public transport.

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