The strategy, while recognising Dublin's role as an engine of national growth, which has driven much of the country's economic success, also takes on board the particularly heavy burden of development pressures on the city and surrounding areas. I agree with its description of Dublin having become a dispersed city where population continues to increase. It stood at 1.5 million in the last census. This growth requires planning and a strategic approach to manage this level of population growth effectively. On the basis of recent trends, up to four fifths of the population growth in the State could take place in the Dublin region or in adjacent areas over the next 20 years and could possibly reach 2.2 million. It is predicted that the number of cars on our roads could double in the 20 year period from 1996 to 2016. These changes need to be managed and planned for.