Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address concerns regarding the impact of traffic congestion in Dublin in preventing companies from growing and creating jobs; his views on whether the traffic densities in Dublin are posing a threat to competitiveness and economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23475/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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With the return of economic growth, we must ensure that we have measures in place to deal with the consequent increase in traffic. It is a key objective of transport policy to encourage modal shift away from the car so as to improve economic competitiveness through reduced congestion, particularly in high density urban environments such as Dublin. This also supports climate change mitigation through reducing emissions.

The National Transport Authority, working closely with the City Council, is responsible for the development of traffic management plans in Dublin. Together, they recently announced plans for an ambitious re-drawing of the city, which will encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking.

Tackling congestion requires choices to be made between competing demands for a finite amount of road space.  It is impossible to satisfy everyone.  The roll-out of the now extensive network of bus lanes in the Dublin area for example, was only made possible by the removal of cars from considerable sections of the road, a policy which received considerable opposition at the time.  Dublin today is very different from Dublin of 20 years ago.  It is clear that the car can no longer be king.  I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made by the relevant local authorities and the National Transport Authority to ensure that all traffic management measures implemented in Dublin will seek to reduce congestion, while supporting this Government's policy in relation to promoting continual economic growth and the creation of jobs.