Dublin is no longer a city, it has become a region, the Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern said today as he announced a new authority to oversee the road and transport developments of the greater Dublin area.
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He was speaking at today's launch of the
Consultation Paper on New Institution Arrangements for Land Use and Transportation in the greater Dublin area,
which proposes the new authority.
"It makes no sense to plan for Dublin on its own. We need to consider Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath as a single region because the lives of people in those counties are significantly affected by developments in Dublin," the Taoiseach said.
The body's responsibilities will include the preparation of land use and transport strategies; the integration and regulation of public transport systems; and the co-ordination and financing of the transport development agencies.
Mr Ahern also proposed "on-the-ground" improvements, including a team to streamline Quality Bus Corridors delivery; additional resources for traffic-enforcement policies and initiatives to ensure Iarnród Eireann can deliver suburban rail development.
Local authority members and managers, the social partners and the Government will be represented on the authority's governing council, the Taoiseach said.
"While there is 'no quick fix' to the challenges we face in the greater Dublin area, one of our main concerns is to make a real difference quickly," Mr Ahern said.
Ms Liz O'Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, also speaking at the launch, said: "This proposed new body will pull together all of the principal players necessary for the speedy and proper functioning of a modern metropolitian area: in effect, this is join-up local government."
Work has already begun on implementing the proposal. The Government hopes to have a general bill ready for approval by autumn.
A leaflet will be sent to every Dublin home to explain the proposals and responses from the public will be considered at the end of a two-month consultation period.