Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Transport the regulatory reforms he is proposing in connection with the introduction of a heavy goods vehicle ban and permit system in Dublin City. [16217/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to make road traffic regulations to provide that control on entry to roads or an area/zone may be applied in respect of goods vehicles by reference to the number of axles on the vehicle. This regulatory measure will be applied through the provision of a traffic sign that must be provided at the entry point on each road or area/zone to which the control on entry measure is being applied. I will be prescribing a new regulatory traffic sign for this purpose.

The new regulations for control of movement of goods vehicles will have national application and will not apply to Dublin City Council alone. The detail and parameters of operation of such controls and restriction on vehicle movements are traffic management issues to be determined at local level so it will be a matter for each individual road authority to decide if, when and where such a traffic management measure should be applied in their area, to determine the periods of operation and the number of axles on the goods vehicles to which the controls should apply.

Provision is contained in section 35 (2) (t) of the Road Traffic Act 1994 as inserted by section 26 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 for the application of a permit system to exempt permit holders from the application of prohibitions and restrictions to specified traffic from entering or using specified roads. I will be prescribing a fee for the issue of such permits but the detail and operation of the permits will be a matter for each local authority.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he proposes to take to facilitate easy access with parking facilities for rail commuters, with particular reference to the need to encourage the use of the rail services in order to alleviate road traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16182/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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One of the central strategic aims of my Department is to attract people out of their cars and onto public transport, so reducing congestion, and also pollution, and improving overall quality of life in Ireland. There are several developments necessary to achieve this end. Provision of appropriate parking facilities for rail commuters is one of them.

In the Greater Dublin Area, there is a strategy in place to develop rail-based park and ride facilities. This strategy was drawn up by the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), and was approved last Summer by my Department. The strategy envisages facilities at 22 locations on the existing and proposed rail network within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

In the present year, I have made capital funding of €5 million available for the development of appropriate park and ride projects in the GDA. Capital funding will also be provided in succeeding years under TRANSPORT 21. There will be no revenue support to subsidise operating costs of Park and Ride facilities. My Department will consider applications for this funding by public bodies for specific projects on a first-come, first served basis. They will be evaluated according to their business cases, and against the strategic value they offer, as assessed against the DTO strategy.

Each of the provincial cities has development plans including the development of bus priority measures and park and ride facilities. I have made funding of €11.5 million available under TRANSPORT 21 for projects in this category in 2006.