The Government will today outline how plans for the metro, Luas, DART, Dublin Bus and road building will affect Dublin traffic over the next 16 years.
A Government spokesman said this would be the first time commuters would be able to see how initiatives such as the metro, DART and suburban rail would work together.
Fine Gael said it would be the third launch of the plan.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, will detail a three-pronged approach to Dublin traffic. This includes the Dublin Transportation Office's strategy for 2000 to 2016, the National Road Authority's roadbuilding projects and CIE's plans for expanding its services in the Dublin region. The £4.3 billion metro system for the city was launched by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, at the end of July. She said the metro would integrate with the other transport systems so it would be possible to make most journeys across Dublin with just one ticket. At this morning's press conference Ms Harney is expected to emphasise the importance of delivering the schedule on time and the need for more public-private partnerships to undertake these building projects. She will again refer to the need to attract foreign workers to ensure they are completed on time.
Meanwhile, a Government spokeswoman rejected claims by Ms Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael spokeswoman for transport, that this was the third time the Government had launched the plan and said it had only been approved by the Cabinet last week.
