32. THAT IS how many recommendations form part of the strategy called “Moving Together” - released by the government this week, which probably works better than “Moving at all” which is wishful thinking for lots of drivers and commuters wedged in their car or next to the armpit of another Luas passenger.  

For years, we have been told that we need to get out of our cars and start cycling and walking and carpooling. Which of course is a lovely idea apart from cycling being reserved for only the truly kamikaze, the fact that it seems to rain here pretty much every day of the year and that we are way too fond of our own space to consider spending four hours a day with our irritating colleague/neighbour.

Working from home for lots of people works, but data shows that the M50 in Dublin is now busier than it was before Covid. The pandemic itself was the greatest accidental case study on how to relieve traffic congestion and reduce emissions, but it also made us so collectively crazy that we have, the government included, blocked it all out, even the useful bits.

Offices are full, the M50 is full, the Luas, buses and trains are all full too. The TII has thrown its hands up and said there is no more to be done with the M50, but we will keep putting the price up, thank you.  

There is no doubt that we are a country that has become very dependent on our cars. There were 3.2 million licensed vehicles in Ireland in 2025 and that is a whopping 2 million more than in 1985. 1.8 million of that........

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