Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The Westport to Achill cycle and walking route also known as the great western greenway has indeed been a great success. Mayo County Council was responsible for initially identifying the route, investigating the feasibility of the route and for the actual delivery of the route. Phase 1 of the project was completed in April 2010, and phases 2 and 3 are expected to be opened by the end of this month. Based on information from Mayo County Council, the first phase has been remarkably popular with more than 2,000 users during the Easter weekend alone. Financing is being provided through co-funding from the Department and Fáilte Ireland.

Such cycle and walk ways represent an area which is directly relevant to two key aspects of my Department, that is to say, smarter travel and tourism. The great western greenway is a prime example of this, being a resource for the people of Mayo and tourists to the region. While the development of such proposals is in the first instance a matter for the local authorities, I, my Department and the agencies of my Department are keen, bearing in mind the financial constraints, to support such initiatives.

Similarly, feasibility studies for potential routes along other abandoned rail lines are a matter for the local authorities concerned. With regard to the potential of other disused rail lines for similar projects, Kerry County Council has proposed the development of a cycle route from Tralee to Fenit and the Department has agreed to provide €200,000 for funding for this.

Although not utilising disused railway lines, Meath County Council carried out a feasibility study for a cycle route along the Boyne Valley linking Trim to Drogheda. This would have obvious benefits from a smarter travel and tourism perspective. However, the cost of such a scheme would be at least €13 million and this does not take account of any land acquisition. Given the financial position of the State at present, it is not possible to provide such a level of funding.

The National Roads Authority completed a scoping study for a national cycle network in 2010. This study is available from www.smartertravel.ie and identifies potential route corridors, although not actual routes, between urban areas with a population of 10,000 or more that could constitute a national cycle network. Following this, the Department tasked the National Roads Authority to conduct a feasibility study of a cycle way from Dublin to Galway and onto Clifden. The public consultation on the Dublin to Mullingar section of the route is due to commence shortly.

See this speech in context