The Minister of State at the Department of Transport Mr Ivor Callely has launched Operation Freeflow 2005, the annual Garda campaign to ease the flow of traffic through Dublin city.
The project, which is now in its tenth year, aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the Dublin area in the run-up to Christmas and includes the deferral and rescheduling of building works that may interfere with traffic.
Freeflow - which runs from 27th November to the 5th of January - is intended to cater for pre-Christmas shopping, increased traffic congestion, Christmas Festivities and the post-Christmas sales.
There will be an increased garda presence of 140 personnel around the city. Gardaí on Mountain Bikes will be used for traffic management in the City Centre.
Garda air support will also be available to monitor the situation and identify the sources of obstruction.
This year's initiative has been planned under the auspices of the Gardai and the Dublin Transportation Office in close co-operation with local authorities and transport service providers.