asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the serious concern of very many citizens in the greater Dublin area regarding the serious effects of Dublin city traffic congestion on the commercial, industrial and social life of the capital city, and the action, if any, the Government proposes to take on this matter.

I am aware that traffic congestion is a serious problem in the Dublin area generally, as it is in all major cities. Responsibility for the formulation of measures to relieve such congestion rests with the local authorities concerned, that is, Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire Borough Council, acting in conjunction with the Garda Síochána where statutory controls are concerned. In general, action is proceeding by these authorities on a number of fronts. Inessential traffic, and in particular private car commuter traffic, is discouraged on major and central roads through the exercise of parking controls; the use of public transport is facilitated in consultation with CIE; use is made of traffic management measures to secure more effective use of existing streets; an expanding programme of road improvements and construction works is being implemented with the aim of providing improved and new facilities where required on major routes. In 1978, grant allocations in support of the road works programmes in the Dublin region amounted to £7.175 million, an increase of over £2 million on the figure for 1976. A number of expert studies on traffic congestion in the Dublin area have already been carried out over the years, and recently the Minister for Tourism and Transport has established the Transport Consultative Commission to investigate and report on transport generally and with initial consideration of the problems in the Dublin area. The Commission has issued a discussion paper setting out the many possible long-term solutions to the problems in the Dublin area and has invited submissions from interested parties.

Would the Minister not agree that his reply could be construed as misleading when he suggests that the local authorities have responsibility for alleviating traffic congestion?

I would not agree.

Would the Minister not agree that local authorities have no responsibility for traffic management, that being the function of the gardaí?

I said in conjunction with the gardaí.

If I heard the Minister properly he said they were primarily responsible for alleviating traffic congestion. Could the Minister indicate to me how a local authority, which has no statutory responsibility for traffic management—that being the function of the Garda Síochána—which has no responsibility for public transport, a more efficient way of transporting large numbers of people, and which can do nothing about the rail system, has in any way the primary responsibility for alleviating traffic congestion? If the Minister concedes that, would he indicate to the House whether he has any intention of conferring on local authorities overall responsibility for alleviating traffic congestion, a function they manifestly do not have at present?

As I have said already, responsibility for the formulation of measures to relieve such congestion rests with the local authorities—in this instance the three concerned, Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire Borough Council, acting in conjunction with the Garda Síochána—where statutory controls are concerned.

I am grateful to the Minister for his clarification. However, could he state how a local authority could propose measures for the improvement of public transport in Dublin city or county at present; if, under the terms of reference of local authorities as he knows them, how Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council and indeed Dún Laoghaire Borough Council could propose measures for the alleviation of traffic congestion vis-à-vis public transport?

My Department are receiving proposals all the time from all the roads authorities in the country.

The Minister has now shifted his position. Would he, as Minister for the Environment, be prepared to exercise his influence within the Cabinet in regard to proposals from local authorities in the Dublin region relating to the improvement of traffic conditions and having an impact on public transport whether it be for buses or for the rail system? If such proposals came from Dublin Corporation suggesting, for example, a transportation authority, would the Minister be prepared to back it and push it through the Cabinet?

I am prepared to consider any proposal on its merits.

What I would like to clarify is this. If a local authority make proposals that do not fall within their statutory responsibility—and public transport, the rail system, and enforcement with regard to parking come under this heading and we discussed it on the adjournment last week—will he, as the Minister responsible, take up such proposals from a local authority even though the local authority do not have the statutory responsibility for such proposals or will he throw it back at the local authority, as has happened in the past, saying that they do not have the responsibility in that area?

I am prepared to consider any proposals.

I would hope for that at least.

What does the Deputy expect me to say? I have said I am prepared to consider any proposals.