Council to lose funding if transport plan delayed – Ryan

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has warned Dublin City Council that it will lose funding if it delays implementing its transport plan.

That is because the transport plan is part of the Department of Transport’s Pathfinder programme, which funds projects to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The first phase of the Dublin plan that involves limiting cars passing through the city was due to roll out next month.

However it was put on hold after businesses in the capital warned of a significant financial impact.

Mr Ryan believes that any delay would “not be clever” adding that it would send out a signal that the council is not really serious about sustainable transport.

While the minister would not say how much funding the council stands to lose, he said the money was earmarked for traffic signaling and traffic management measures.

However, he said it was not solely about money and more about delivering a plan that would rejuvenate the city centre.

New tax disk legislation agreed by Cabinet

Motorists will in future not have to display a tax disc under legislation agreed by Cabinet today, Mr Ryan said.

Instead, gardaí will check the vehicle’s tax using roadside technology. However, it will take some time before the change becomes law.

The Government also gave the green light today to the strategic rail review which would see an extra €1 billion spent annually on rail for the next 25 years.

Mr Ryan said the Government is now awaiting approval from Stormont of the plan which aims to reopen several closed rail lines across the Island of Ireland.

Meanwhile, legislation to enable gardaí and local authorities to share information in a bid to eradicate accident blackspots on the country’s roads is set to be passed by the Oireachtas in the autumn.

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