Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to address the increasing capacity problems on the M50 and the need for a proposed additional ring road to deal with the high demand by motorists. [45431/15]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Minister outline his plans for addressing the increasing capacity problems on the M50 and the need for a proposed additional ring-road to deal with the high demand from motorists? The idea of an outer ring road has been on the table for many years and I want to hear the Minister's views on this. He was a member of Dublin City Council, where we had many presentations over the years. Are there any measures on the outskirts and the commuter belt that can help?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As I indicated in my answer to Deputy Dooley's question, I am very conscious of the pressures on the M50 but I do not see the provision of major new road infrastructure as a solution at this time, nor is it feasible to do this in the context of our new capital plan. The upgrade of the M50 was completed as recently as 2010 at a cost of €1 billion and the extra capacity is under pressure already. In the short term to medium term, the objective has to be to optimise the operation of the M50 as currently designed and enhance other options, such as public transport. 

In respect of public transport, alternatives include the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel for some services on the Kildare commuter rail line from next summer. The new Luas cross city line, which will be in operation in late 2017, providing the capacity for an additional 10 million journeys on the Luas network each year, will also be of significant help in this regard. The new capital plan also envisages significant ongoing investment in the replacement and enlargement of the PSO bus fleet. Next year alone, we are providing an additional 100 buses.

The National Transport Authority's draft transport strategy envisages the development of a core orbital bus network to ensure that more trips within the area can be undertaken by public transport in a convenient and efficient manner. These services would be operated at a matching frequency to the core radial services to ensure that they offer an attractive alternative to private transport. Six orbital routes were proposed under the draft strategy, namely, Dún Laoghaire to Dundrum, Dundrum to Tallaght, Dundrum to Finglas, Ranelagh to Drumcondra, Tallaght to Blanchardstown and Blanchardstown to Kilbarrack. Following the conclusion of the public consultation process, the NTA is now in the process of finalising the strategy. Implementation of proposals in the strategy will be subject to approval of business cases and availability of funding.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I acknowledge that it is only five years since the major upgrade, when the road was widened and various junctions were tackled. This cost more than €1 billion. However, it is quite clear that some of the measures being proposed will not be sufficient in the long term. The Minister is talking about lowering speed limits and the possibility of tolling at various off-shoots of the M50. That would probably add to the problem but I would like to hear whether he has ruled out multi-point tolling altogether. A great deal of revenue is generated by the M50. The Minister has said €110 million is taken by the toll and €50 million goes to pay the original owners. I am assuming all that money is ringfenced or put back into the system to deal with the congestion issues, which seem to be multiplying. I use the M50 and it seems to be getting worse.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In respect of the implementation of multi-point tolling and what that would mean, I have made very clear that such a proposal should only be implemented if we have very substantially increased public transport capacity to provide an alternative to the M50. The congestion study done by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in April 2014 indicated there was potential to reduce the volume of traffic on the M50 by up to one fifth.

However, of the 20% reduction in traffic, half of it would be displaced onto other roads. That would mean that between 35,000 and 40,000 journeys would be moved onto local and regional roads. That is not a viable solution to tackling congestion as it would merely move such congestion onto roads less able to handle it. I would appreciate it if the Deputy were to take the opportunity to clarify Sinn Féin's policy in this area. Does it support the construction and building of a new outer ring road?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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We will put that qustion to Deputy Dessie Ellis.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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No, I was not suggesting I supported it. I was asking whether there was merit in considering it or giving consideration to improving the outer ring roads in a way that would alleviate the pressure. Everything appears to converge on the M50, with traffic travelling north, south and east, which is hard to understand. However, I agree with the Minister on one point, which is that public transport must be considered to alleviate the congestion. He mentioned the orbital bus routes, which are for the future and will be important. In addition, the metro north project should take a great deal of pressure off in respect of the number of cars it will take off the roads. It is estimated that a couple of hundred thousand cars could be taken off the roads. I seek the Minister's opinion on this, as although metro north is for the future, it is a major project that could have an immense impact. The congestion problem is building on the M50 and will not stop. I do not believe it will be sufficient to put up signage or to lower speeds limits, given the problems that appear to be building at peak hours, in particular.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The additional measures I have confirmed will make a difference. However, what will make an additional difference is how the layout and availability of public transport routes alongside the M50 are changed. That is why the work under way to deliver bus routes that will run along the perimeter of the M50 and then to points at which a significant number of people want to work and providing them as soon as possible at an affordable price in a manner that they will carry a large quantity of passengers is key in giving people an alternative to using their cars. It is important that the Deputy has confirmed his view on the orbital ring road. The construction of new projects such as this within Dublin raises huge questions about how they would be funded, not to mention how Ireland would be able to meet its obligations from a climate change perspective in the context of the recent meeting in Paris. However, I conclude by noting many of the measures I have announced to ensure better support for the Garda and to change road layout at three further junctions on the M50 will take place next year, as will the provision of an additional 100 buses for Dublin Bus.