Plans to block through-traffic in Dublin is unfair to people who “have to cross the city”, according to Ciara Kelly. 

The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec) are calling on Dublin City Council to “pause” its plans to reduce the number of cars going through the city centre. 

It has said not enough consideration has been given to the impact on business owners in the city centre for both customers and employers. 

Newstalk Breakfast host Ciara Kelly agreed that many policies this Government have adopted are “anti-business”, including new traffic measures. 

“They're making Ireland an environment [that is] harder to do business and this is a further example of that,” she said. 

“I do believe public transport should be the main thrust of where we are going. 

“If you go to a city like London you wouldn't dream of bringing your car... but [in Dublin] it’s a bit of a cart before the horse.” 

Traffic through the city

Presenter Shane Coleman said he disagrees with Ibec, arguing that while traffic to the city is fine, traffic through the city needs to be reduced. 

“60% of [car] journeys [in Dublin city] are through-traffic,” he said. “It’s not destination city centre. 

“That is the biggest issue and it’s not just me who says it – it’s the biggest obstacle to transport. 

“We need to build a liveable breathable city centre where people can cycle, people can walk [but the] car is king – car monsters.” 

An artist's impression of the South Quays in Dublin after the traffic plan changes. Image: Dublin City Council

Ciara pointed out that it’s not just businessowners who could suffer, but city dwellers as well. 

“What if you live in Ranelagh and have to go to the Mater Hospital?” she asked. 

“That’s still a destination – the river [Liffey] is an arbitrary thing. 

“People do sometimes have to cross the city and [they’re] making that really difficult.” 

Shane argued you cannot just use the “hard case” as the main example. 

“60% of people driving through the city are not going to the Mater,” he said. 

Ciara countered that there is no information on where the 60% of drivers are going. 

“The river is an arbitrary measure of what people are doing in the city,” she said. 

Access to central premises

Ciara also reiterated the harm to businesses, noting Guinness owner Diageo “doesn’t know” how they will transport goods from the factory at St James’ Gate to Dublin Port in the Quays are closed to traffic. 

Ibec Head of Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability Aidan Sweeney echoed this argument, saying closing through-traffic will lower accessibility for “practical things like deliveries”. 

“How do they access central premises?” he said. “Whether that’s waste collection, emergency plumbing services. 

“How do deliveries happen from the point of view of pubs, restaurants... what des that mean for them?” 

Shane pointed out people likely had the same arguments before Grafton Street and Henry Street were pedestrianised.