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

There seems to be a total absence of a comprehensive vision and strategic plan to cope with the future transport demand in the core Dublin area. The Minister has acknowledged the Luas cross city project and the Phoenix Park tunnel, but these projects are on a piecemeal basis. There is no clear strategy. The capital plan that was published last September is very unambitious with regard to what will be delivered. Meanwhile, we have the construction of cycle lanes. The number of cars coming into the city is decreasing and the reduction is not being compensated for by ensuring the provision of public car parks on the outer roads. Parking is still happening on side streets coming in to the city, which is a crazy situation. If we want to get people into the capital city and moving freely around by way of public transport, cycling or walking, where are they to leave their cars when they commute? The provision of public car parks on the outskirts of town should be examined and a comprehensive strategy should be planned regarding how to improve the number of bus and DART journeys. The DART underground has been shelved but we need to be looking and planning for the future and not on a piecemeal basis.

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