Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

On my way to the House today I witnessed a traffic jam stretching a mile from Clonee to Dublin Airport via the M50. That was not at peak time, morning or evening, but at 1 p.m. I mention this in the context of the opening of the Dublin Port tunnel and the ban on heavy goods vehicles being imposed within the city. I also mention it in the context of competitiveness.

While much has been said about our competitiveness, nothing impinges on it more than our transport system. I would like a debate on the vexed question of what will happen to the M50 when the Dublin Port tunnel opens. Until recently no discussions had taken place between the NRA and the Department on what measures might be put in place for heavy goods vehicles on the M50. We are facing gridlock.

Like other Members I would welcome a debate on Aer Lingus, including the practicality of what has happened and what will happen. Long before Eddie Hobbs mentioned the word "rip-off"——