Jim McDaid (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

Every Senator who contributed to tonight's debate referred to the Red Cow roundabout. I cannot imagine what will happen to the Opposition's arguments when we manage to find a solution, which we will. The Red Cow roundabout was conceived in 1984, when the thinking was that in 2014 it would be capable of handling 45,000 vehicles. Our recent economic success, which as Senator McDowell said reached double digit figures, has meant that today upwards of 100,000 cars are using the Red Cow roundabout. Ten years ago there were 800,000 cars in the country while today there are 1.63 million cars compared to 1.2 million houses. We have to deal with the problems stemming from our economic success but we are solving them.

Senator Terry mentioned the experience of Montpellier in France, of which I am aware. The Montpellier project was conceived in 1992-93. The Senator is correct in saying that it was started in 1997 and is now operational. We started our Luas project two years ago and it will be finished next year. Many Senators have mentioned the Luas project and the Dublin Port tunnel. I saw a young man on the television news the other night complaining about what the Taoiseach had said concerning the eco warriors costing us a fortune in recent years. In the soundbite, the young man said "Take a look at the Luas and the port tunnel", but what is wrong with those two projects? The Luas will be finished in 2004 and the port tunnel in 2005. I am quite sure that Senators with an interest in the Dublin transport system will be making sure they are in the photo opportunities when those projects open. Senators are saying exactly the same things that were said about the DART 20 years ago.