Feargal Quinn (Independent)

When I travelled to Dundalk recently, I was once again impressed by the marvellous road between Dublin and Dundalk. Signs have been erected beside the road to remind motorists that its construction was aided by a European fund. A report in a newspaper today states that the plans for a metro in Dublin have been set aside forever. I know the Leader took an active part some years ago in the decision to proceed with the metro.

If we are to have a referendum on the proposed European constitution in the next 18 months, we have to find every reason to proclaim from the rooftops the benefits we receive from Europe. The people of Dundalk know that the road to their town was built with the help of European funds. It seems to me that if we use the benefits of our membership of the EU to succeed in building a metro in Dublin — I am sure it will not be finished in the next two years — we will have a much better chance of securing a "Yes" vote in the referendum on the proposed European constitution.

I read last night that the 100th anniversary of the opening of the New York metro was celebrated yesterday. Mayor Bloomberg said that the people of New York could not enjoy their way of life if the metro was not in place. I urge the Government to seek ways of proclaiming the benefits we receive from Europe and to re-examine how Dublin's traffic can be managed. As our traffic problems will not be solved by Luas alone, we should consider the possibility of a metro in our future plans.