Results 11,041-11,060 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I want to move on to constructive engagement here. The fact is that there was an open competition and the contract was awarded fairly, openly and transparently. If one won, one won, and if one did not, one did not. I call Deputy Rock, who wanted to ask a question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Does Deputy Catherine Murphy wish to ask a question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I acknowledge that this has been a long meeting. I appreciate people's patience in waiting. I understand the issue but it is not my fault.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: South Louth should certainly be included in light of its population growth and connection with the greater Dublin area.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I know that. If Louth County Council had a say, Louth would also be covered by the legislation. It would not accept the current position in its wisdom, believe it or not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is about changing the signalling.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am conscious that we have been here now for almost three hours. Would members or witnesses like to suspend for five minutes or so?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: That is true, particularly at key junctions at peak times.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will take up that point. We can put questions to the Minister when he comes before us because it is a key point. I think it has the support of the members who are present at this meeting. I have a number of questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have a number of points. I wish to raise the congestion in the city last Thursday morning when there was an accident at the Point Depot, it took at least an hour to an hour and a half, and I was sitting in my car for at least an hour, how are Transport Infrastructure Ireland dealing with that? I know the TII has three tow-away vehicles on the M50. What is the TII doing about the narrow...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Let me articulate what I see as the problem. I am not suggesting that the witness is accountable, because he clearly does not have that function. There is a huge problem. The whole city is backlogged up to the airport. We need somebody who is able to deal with that and to oversee the removal of those vehicles as soon as appropriate. I appreciate that the Garda has to be called, but it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: When one travels from the Point Depot from the Port Tunnel towards the city, one cannot take a left turn at the first bridge there. I believe it is the Samuel Beckett bridge. This means that traffic backs up and people end up breaking the rules. Many people actually turn left illegally there. What can be done about that issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Who can we contact to get that decision changed, or who can we bring before the committee to discuss that matter if it is not the witness?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. It is a huge issue. The witness discussed park and ride facilities, the orbital routes and the BusConnects. One of the key proposals for Metro North is the 3,000 vehicle car park near Malahide. Is it proposed that BusConnects could run out to that location before the Metro North is built so that there is some capacity to take people directly into the city from that point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: How much time will that take?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: As traffic exits the M1 at Julianstown outside Drogheda there are huge backlogs of traffic, sometimes up to 2 km in the evening. The traffic volume passing through Julianstown is only 2,000 cars per day less than was the case before the motorway was built, and the community is very angry about that. Traffic is hugely disadvantaged by the lack of a bypass there. Can we get an update on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It has the same capacity as the old M1. It is effectively-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It has 22,000 cars going through it. As the economy improves - and I am sure it is the same in all areas - backlogs on regional roads are huge blockages for people trying to get home. Is the witness telling me to contact the county councils or the Departments?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is the old M1, and it has the traffic volumes it used to have.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area and Related Matters: Discussion (16 May 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee and answering all our questions. I might ask, if it is in order, either when the transcript becomes available or before, for a summary of the key points. That might include any actions we need to take or suggestions on what we need to do in order to help us clarify matters. We will have the Minister, Bus Éireann, CIÉ and Irish...