Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has ruled out the imposition of congestion charges on any inter-urban, national or secondary road; if proposals for congestion charges have been submitted for his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29053/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Though specific proposals for the introduction of congestion charging are not being considered at the moment, the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 states that consideration will be given to the potential introduction of fiscal measures, including road pricing or congestion charging, to reduce transport demand, once adequate supply-side infrastructure is in place.

Congestion charges can incentivise the shift from personal car transport and have been successfully adopted in, for example, London and Stockholm. On its introduction, the London congestion charge reduced congestion by 30% and traffic levels by 18% with a positive net annual revenue. Similarly, the Stockholm congestion charge resulted in weekday traffic falling by 22% and a reduction of 12% in emissions. This was introduced initially on a trial basis and was later adopted following a public referendum.

The success of these schemes is partly due to the availability of public transport alternatives and democratic consensus, following public awareness campaigns. Various types of charge are feasible, including cordon charges and area licences. Technological development provides the means for more sophisticated and targeted pricing schemes.

It is too early to say what, if any, fiscal measures are needed in Ireland. The Government is committed to delivering a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan this year, for which a public consultation process is recently concluded. The question of congestion reduction and measures in relation to restricting traffic volumes in the Dublin City Centre area will be explored in more detail as part of that Action Plan. Also, the Dublin Transportation Office, in their document '2030 Vision for Greater Dublin Transport' will address measures for Dublin. Information on the document is available from www.2030vision.ie.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Transport the categories of vehicles that are currently permitted to use dedicated bus lanes; if he is considering proposals to allow professionally operated chauffeur driven vehicles to use bus lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29055/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The current rules governing use of bus lanes were established through the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997-1998. Large public service vehicles are permitted to use all bus lanes. Taxis, while being used in the course of work, and pedal cycles are permitted to use with-flow bus lanes.

The prohibition on the use of bus lanes does not apply in respect of emergency service vehicles i.e. fire brigades, ambulances and vehicles being driven by members of the Garda Síochána, in the course of duty.

Last year, I received a request from the Commission for Taxi Regulation to amend regulations so as to permit the use of bus lanes by hackneys and limousines. In considering this request, I have received the views of several interested bodies. However, a case is pending before the High Court in which a limousine operator is challenging the provisions of the existing regulations. I intend to await the outcome of this case before making a final decision on the Taxi Regulator's request.