Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senators Mulherin and Kieran O'Donnell with regard to inviting the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, to the House to deal with a number of issues but in particular the increased volume of traffic on our roads in recent years and the pending report on traffic on our railways. We could have an interesting debate with the Minister on those issues. Recently, we have seen a huge increase in the volume of lorry traffic on our roads. Previously, lorries could carry 44 tonnes in weight but as a result of a derogation in place for 2 tonnes, lorries may now carry 42 tonnes. That means there will be extra lorries on our roads. It is appropriate that we would have the Minister in the House to debate traffic management with respect to our roads and railways.