Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

Seán Lemass once famously stated that all election promises are null and void once an election has been held. It is more than likely that Mr. Lemass's tongue was firmly in his cheek when he said that. However, the current Administration appears to believe he was serious because the parties which comprise it are literally abandoning every promise they made during the general election campaign. In that context, I request that the Leader arrange for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, to come before the House in order that we might engage in a debate on transport. As the Leader of the Opposition in this House, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, stated, there is complete confusion regarding the capital plans relating to Dublin infrastructural projects such as the interconnection of the Luas, the link-up with the DART or metro north. No one seems to know what is happening. In addition, nobody in Government is issuing clear statements on the matter.

There is a need for a debate on this issue. The same Minister came before the House recently and we had a fruitful and positive debate with him in respect of tourism. I do not believe that the tone of the debate I am seeking will be all sweetness and light. Having said that, I compliment the Minister for announcing yesterday that he intends to replace the current driving licence with a new plastic version that will be the size of a credit card. That is a good development. The current driving licence is awkward and individuals cannot be expected to have these documents about their person on all occasions. Given that one is obliged to present one's licence to a garda on request, the new version will be most welcome. In addition, it will be useful as a form of acceptable identification.

When the debate I am seeking takes place, I hope the Minister will make a statement on the regulation of taxi ranks in our major cities. People will have witnessed some very unedifying behaviour among taxi drivers squabbling as to who is first in line, who is next in line, etc., at a number of locations, particularly at the rank on Dawson St. People who commute on the train from Kerry or Cork to Dublin will be aware of the ridiculous situation that obtains at Heuston Station. There is a fine taxi shelter outside the latter but taxi drivers will not pull up to it and instead expect customers to walk perhaps 100 yards, sometimes in pouring rain, in order to get into their vehicles. There is a need to introduce a system of taxi marshals - similar to those which obtain the UK and most other countries - at railway stations, airports and other public buildings.