Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether development of the Dublin Port tunnel will solve an infrastructure problem or will create the need for further investment in the transport infrastructure system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15496/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin Port tunnel project was developed by Dublin City Council, and the National Roads Authority, NRA. As a major new addition to the road infrastructure in the Dublin area, the port tunnel will provide a high quality access route for heavy goods vehicles getting to and from Dublin Port and will improve traffic flow in the city for freight distributors and other port-related traffic. The port tunnel will also have substantial environmental and safety benefits through the removal of HGVs from residential areas.

I understand that arrangements are being put in place by Dublin City Council and the NRA to ensure the smooth integration of traffic from the port tunnel into the Dublin road network, particularly at the M1-M50 interchange, and to avoid congestion in the port area.

I am informed that these measures together with the significant upgrade of the M50, including the move to free flow open road tolling, the opening of the south eastern motorway section of the M50 this summer, the widening of the N7 Naas Road, and the upgrade projects on the N2 and N3 will deliver important improvements to the capital's road network. I am confident that these major improvement works will deliver a quality road infrastructure that is safer and reduce congestion for all road users.