Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I have written to every transport provider and local authority more than once asking them to bring forward proposals and plans to this end — Senator Paddy Burke asked about funding in this regard — and indicated that 100% capital funding would be available. We all know the benefits of park and ride facilities and I support Senator O'Toole's view on them. I would like to see them in place. I have given the DTO a commitment with regard to five projects it has identified in this area. I had a difference of opinion with the DTO when it suggested that park and ride facilities should only be rail based. I do not support that view. We should explore the provision of park and ride facilities for all of our main arteries.

On the issue of integrated ticketing and ticket sales, as late as yesterday it was brought to my attention that a person buying a ticket in, for example, Cork to travel to Dublin, might believe it was necessary to purchase another ticket when he or she got off the train at Heuston. That person can purchase a ticket in Cork from the Iarnród Éireann desk that will take them to the city centre, with a choice of whether to travel by bus or Luas, for an extra 90 cent. We need to get the message across to people that there are smart cards available. The CSI can help develop this awareness.

I agree that infrastructural projects alone are not the solution to the congestion in Dublin. One innovation that has been of assistance in tackling congestion is the QBC initiative, which has been tremendously successful. In previous years the funding available for developing and extending QBCs went from €17 million to €23 million and, prior to my arrival in the Department, to €29 million. I am pleased to indicate that funding of €40 million is available for QBCs in Dublin this year. I would like to roll out the QBC network throughout the city.

We have heard various stories about supertrucks and the need to address the related issues of delivery and competitiveness. We did not, of course, hear the arguments about environmental costs, safety implications and damage to road infrastructure, etc. We need to make a decision on supertrucks. The new port tunnel, with an operational height of 4.65 m, will open shortly and many of our other road and rail bridges have operational heights of approximately 4.2 m. I understand the European norm is 4 m. The sooner we make the necessary decision on the size of supertrucks allowed use our network, the better. As the decision rests with me, I intend entering discussion with the representative bodies as soon as possible and coming to a satisfactory conclusion on the issue.

I would like to have more time available to go into greater detail on the Clare Street initiative. This is a genuine attempt, through my limited powers as a Minister of State, to recognise the authorities that exist with their own autonomy to deliver. I am pulling them together to work with them in a spirit of co-operation to try and address the issues in the operation of our transport network and to provide integration through collaboration and co-ordination, something that heretofore was not visible in the operation of the transport network.

The CSI has sown an important seed. It has people meeting together in a spirit of co-operation, discussing and evaluating identified projects and being unafraid to talk openly. It has appointed a sponsor to take on the project and recognises that we want a quick solution. We have had the talk and I do not want any more of it. I want action and delivery. The sooner we have it, the better.

I thank Senators for their positive reaction to my new initiative. We have had a useful exchange of views. I would like to put on record my appreciation of my Department officials, in particular Tom Ferris, who has taken detailed notes of all that has been said. We have agreed that we will take on board the issues and suggestions raised and bring them to the attention of the group. I hope we can deliver positive results from the work of this new CSI initiative.