Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has ruled out the introduction of a congestion charge within the Dublin area within three years in view of the ongoing public transport deficit in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29817/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I will not rule in or out the potential fiscal measures needed to reduce congestion in the Greater Dublin Area. Although I expressed an opinion that congestion charges might ultimately be needed to help free up road space for alternative transport I am not considering or proposing any specific measures at this point in time. The Government's approach to this issue is set out in Action 11 of the new Smarter Travel policy framework, which I launched earlier this year. It states that fiscal measures would be needed to act as a disincentive to unnecessary car travel. I believe that further research on the optimal measures needed will be warranted after we see the recommendations of the Commission on Taxation Report due in the near future.