A Greater Dublin transport authority under a chief executive should be set up to oversee transport infrastructure in the capital, Dublin Chamber of Commerce (DCC) said today.
Unveiling its transport strategy today, the DCC warned competitiveness is being eroded and investors are running shy of Dublin because of the city's transport deficit.
DCC chief executive Ms Gina Quin said: "If we don't get it right now, overseas investors looking for a European location will not choose Ireland. This is already evidenced by recent reports from leading international groups such as the OECD and the World Economic forum, which show that Ireland's poor transport infrastructure is seriously diminishing our competitiveness".
The DCC said the Dublin Transport Office's Dublin 2016 - Platform for Changeis a good strategy but more needs to be done to ensure the programme is realised. They have called for a 15-point plan to speed up the delivery of new projects.
The organisation also said the Dublin Airport metro, the Port Tunnel and completion of the M50 should be prioritised. LUAS, the Dart and the Eastern Bypass should be next in line of priority, it argued.
But Mr Maurice Pratt, chair of the Chamber's transport committee, today acknowledged the complexities involved in managing projects: "There is no simple or easy answer - it will take a combination of improved planning procedures, project and programme management, and the raising of finance".
He said these functions should be controlled by a "high-profile CEO" to act as 'Transport Tsar' for the city.
The Chamber also called for a "fast track planning procedure for all transport infrastructure projects" and said funding should be provided through Public Private Partnerships, Government borrowing and user charges.