Large sections of Dublin city centre could be closed off to all private traffic by April 2009 according to radical plans to tackle traffic congestion within a year.

The Oireacbtas Joint Transport Committee has developed a draft report recommending a number key streets be prioritised for buses and taxis.

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Key streets included are O'Connell Street, Westmoreland Street and Dame Street.

Committee Chairman Frank Fahey of Fianna Fail said: "We decided bus transport, a reliable high-frequency bus service can effectively deal with traffic congestion in Dublin in the short term."

As part of the plan there would be 350 extra buses, with services running at 10 minute intervals off-peak and three minute intervals at peak times.

The construction of two new bridges across the Liffey has also been planned.

(GK)