Cullen’s transport plan enters a cul de sac

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen appears to be suffering from a serious lapse in memory, judging by his recently declared intention to set up a Dublin Transport Authority.

That is completely at odds with an answer to a question I received from the Dublin city manager saying that no consultation has taken place between the Department of Transport and Dublin city council on the issue.

Given the key role that the office of director of traffic presumably would have in any proposed Dublin Transport Authority, it is clear that Mr Cullen’s announcement was just the knee-jerk reaction of a failed minister with no plan, no vision and no commitment to the provision of an integrated transport plan for Dublin.

No doubt this is the Government’s latest ‘aspiration’ never to be realised.

Of course, Dublin needs an integrated land use and transportation authority. Of course, Dublin needs a system similar to London Transport, under the direct control of a directly elected mayor.

Of course neither will be delivered by the minister who only six months ago suggested we did not need the first and who, as minister for the environment, abandoned the latter.

Cllr Dermot Lacey

66 Beech Hill Drive

Donnybrook

Dublin 4.