M50 congestion and transport priorities
Deputy Ahern criticised worsening M50 congestion and the Government’s emphasis on roads over public transport; the Tánaiste defended investment in both areas and welcomed a future debate.
Earlier this week, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, waved the white flag on the M50. It basically said it is full and there is nothing it can do to address congestion. Commuters are stuck in their cars and wasting their time. The situation is costing our economy, climate and public health. Instead of focusing on the causes of this gridlock, which is a lack of public transport in this country, the Government has chosen this week to launch a transport plan that returns to old vices like building roads and bypasses while delaying much-needed public transport projects.
The Government is giving out about judicial reviews delaying critical infrastructure projects but DART south west has planning permission and is shovel-ready yet the Government has chosen to push it out to 2030 at the earliest. The same goes for the Fingal Luas and the Cork Luas. The Government is choosing to build a ring road around Galway rather than a Luas, despite the fact that the M50 is a perfect example of a ring road that just does not function any more.
Adding more lanes has simply added more cars and more congestion. We are failing to learn the lessons of the past. Will the Government rethink its plan and give the Dáil an opportunity to debate it in the House next week?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Ahern for his question. Obviously, in terms of debating these things, that is a matter for the Business Committee but I have no issue with debates taking place. There is a lot of legislation to get through between now and the Christmas break but I am sure there will be an opportunity to debate and discuss the transport plan. I would make a number of points on it. First, we are investing a very significant amount in the capital budget of the Department of Transport. Second, I do not think it is either-or in terms of road infrastructure or public transport. We need to do both and in all of our constituencies our constituents are keeping us under pressure to do both. Third, the NDP is not the final word on the matter. There will be an annual TII capital plan published for projects below €200 million. I am expecting the first of those to be published in January 2026. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to correspond with the Deputy on it.