Higgins intervention in city traffic row “inappropriate”

Fine Gael Minister Emer Higgins calling for the Dublin city centre traffic plan not to proceed has been called an “inappropriate” intervention by councillors.

Speaking to RTÉ, Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins called for the city centre traffic plan not to go ahead, citing economics concerns and a potential impact on commuters.

The initial stages of the plan would see two new short bus lanes on Aston Quay and Bachelor’s Walk, plus a new junction layout at Pearse Street.

Higgins was not among the 3,592 people to make a submission during the public consultation process which ran between September and December of last year.

Recently elected Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty, who also failed to make a submission during the public consultation process, says she also raised the issue with Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan in May.

Labour TD and leader Ivana Bacik, Green TD Neasa Hourigan, and independent Senator Michael McDowell were the only elected representatives who made written submissions during the months-long process.

Higgins said “for me it all comes down to protecting jobs. We heard from retailers in the last two weeks in particular that there are very valid concerns.”

“We know what’s difficult time to be a trader in Dublin at the moment with the reductions in footfall that comes from the change in work pattern behaviors, hybrid working, working from home and really I just want to make sure that their voice is being heard.”

Neither Higgins or Doherty commented on the issue following the previous term of Dublin City Council voting for the plan to proceed.

Green councillor Michael Pidgeon said the intervention by Higgins was “bizarre”.

Pidgeon, who leads the Greens on Dublin City Council, said that Higgins’ 11th-hour comments were “bizarre” and were merely serving vested business interests.

“Dubliners are sick of waiting. Waiting in traffic, waiting for buses, and now a minister wants them to wait for plans to fix up our city centre,” he said.

“This last-ditch intervention by Minister Emer Higgins is utterly bizarre. She is doing the work of vested interests – car park owners who fear any progress that would undermine their bottom line.”

“Dublin city’s design cannot be dictated by car park owners. City council management should stick to their guns. It’s time to implement this plan, improve the bus, and make the core city centre a better place to be.”

Green councillor Claire Byrne said “by talking this traffic out of the city centre, Dublin will be a much better place to work, shop and live. It will improve the air quality and make our streets safer to walk or cycle along. We need to get past the idea that all customers in a city drive.”

“In short, this plan is about giving the city back to people, making it a living city again rather than one that is dominated by cars racing through it. This is exactly the sort of measure we need to achieve our climate targets.”

Social Democrats councillor Cat O’Driscoll “this intervention by the new Minister of State with Responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail is most unwelcome.”

“Just weeks after taking up office, Minister Higgins has gone on a solo run and is attempting to undo all the hard work of democratically elected Dublin city councillors,” she said.

“Significantly, her calls for Dublin’s transport plan to be postponed until at least 2025 put her firmly at odds with Transport and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, who is in favour of the new traffic measures going ahead as planned in August.”

O’Driscoll, who leads the Soc Dems on Dublin City Council, said “there has been much discussion about these changes, which will include restrictions on cars travelling down the quays and the introduction of bus gates. It is disappointing to see Minister Higgins attempt to throw a spanner in the works so close to the plan’s introduction.

“This plan is attempting to move through traffic out of the city centre, making it more accessible for anyone travelling into town by bus, Luas or private vehicle. Reduced traffic will improve air quality and shorten travel time in Dublin, making it a more attractive city to work, live and do business in.

“Instead of trying to scupper the transport plan, it would be more appropriate for the Minister to sit down with councillors and learn about the damage that traffic congestion is doing to our city from an environmental, health and business perspective.

“If Minister Higgins wants to help shape a more vibrant city, then she must support our elected councillors and the goals set out in the Dublin City Development Plan.”