Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposals regarding the development of additional park and ride facilities in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28841/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for a properly integrated and co-ordinated traffic management plan for the greater Dublin area to incorporate maximum use of public transport by means of park and ride facilities or proper feeder bus to rail services and with particular emphasis on the way in which the port tunnel will be utilised to cater for heavy goods vehicles and thereby contribute to alleviation of existing traffic problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29496/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 138 together.

I am keen to facilitate the implementation of park and ride, particularly because of the key part it plays in promoting a more integrated approach to public transport, thereby attracting customer patronage. I am also acutely aware of the need to develop appropriate park and ride facilities in tandem with wider public transport development projects, such as the expansion of suburban commuter rail services. Bearing this in mind, this summer I approved the Dublin Transportation Office's strategy for rail based park and ride but I also stipulated that I would not rule out bus based park and ride.

My Department is now open to considering applications for Exchequer capital grants in respect of suitable park and ride facilities. I am, therefore, delighted to confirm that capital funding may also be made available for bus based park and ride projects on a pilot basis. The level of grant assistance will be determined having regard to the strength of the business case and having regard to the relative priority accorded to the particular project in the context of the DTO's transportation strategy for the greater Dublin area. My Department will not fund ongoing operational costs of park and ride activities.

Dublin City Council, which has responsibility for traffic management, has developed a HGV management strategy, which will be implemented to coincide with the opening of the Dublin Port tunnel. The council is currently finalising the operational details of the proposed strategy and developing a detailed implementation plan. The objectives of the strategy are to ensure the optimal use of the port tunnel by HGVs, to minimise adverse effects of remaining HGV movements in the city and to manage the movement of outsize vehicles, for example, through permit systems.

Finally, I should point out that the Dublin Transportation Office's A Platform for Change provides a transport planning framework for the development of the transport system in the greater Dublin area up to 2016. The DTO strategy takes account of the requirement for integration and co-ordination in traffic management and makes provision for modal interchanges and park and ride.