Capital’s transport body plan bypassed [Article]

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Capital’s transport body plan bypassed

By �ine Kerr, Political Reporter

A CROSS-PARTY group representing the four Dublin local authorities has rejected proposals to establish the Dublin Transportation Authority and called for new proposals modelled on the London system.

Proposals for the new super transport authority, which would assume responsibility for overseeing all major public transport projects, were unanimously rejected at a meeting of the Dublin Regional Authority.

A motion calling on the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, to withdraw the proposals and engage in “real dialogue� towards establishing a body modelled on Transport for London was supported by the authority, on which all political parties are represented.

Yesterday, Labour councillor Dermot Lacey who proposed the motion, said Dublin needed a strong Transportation and Land Use Authority which would have the power and resources to deliver an integrated transport service.

“The rejection of these proposals in such a strong manner, following the resignation of the Interim Working Group Dr Margaret O’ Mahony and the deep criticism of the proposals by long time Fianna Fáil activist and Chairperson of the Railway Procurement Agency Padraic White must surely jolt Minister Cullen to his senses,� he said.

Director of the Dublin Regional Authority, Patricia Potter, said members were primarily concerned with the fact that the authority members would not be represented on the proposed new authority.

Instead, one member will be appointed to an advisory council, while the minister would appoint councillors to another separate board.

Fine Gael’s transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell said the proposals for the Dublin Transportation Authority remained very vague and failed to include a land use remit.

“It has been downgraded from what was originally envisaged. The proposals do not provide for the strong body that is required. I want to see a body with teeth,� she said.

Ms Mitchell added the legislation concerning the proposed authority was supposed to be brought before the Dáil before Christmas.

Under the proposals the Railway Procurement Agency would be subsumed into the new authority that would take over some of the functions of Dublin Bus and Iarnród Eireann.

However, Labour’s transport spokeswoman, RoisÃ*n Shortall, said it would be more effective to establish a body that brings the work of existing bodies together.

Source: http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer...732-qqqx=1.asp