Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Exactly. I am a Green Party member. We were quite disappointed with the recent budget in terms of the focus on public transport and the allocation of funds to the areas of cycling and walking. I want to press Ms O'Hanlon a little bit more in terms of the Department's policy on sustainability. With regard to our carbon emissions, what is the policy of the Department in terms of transitioning away from oil-burning modes of transport? What is the policy with regard to supporting electrical vehicles? What is the Department's policy on supporting bicycles with regard to schemes in Dublin and in cities like Cork where there is a very efficient system at the train stations? It is an example of smart connectivity where people can benefit from using public transport. I lived in the Netherlands for nine years. It is very frustrating to be here in Ireland - I am from Tramore - because the opportunity to use public transport is restricted by timing. With rail services, the last train in the evening is around 6 o'clock, which is a pity. The morning schedule is excellent but the evening one is not. What is the Department doing to try to create a better system where people can use public transport, have connectivity and avoid congestion? Congestion is an enormous problem in this country. Trying to access Dublin is a disaster. Galway is a disaster. The congestion is desperate. When people are sitting in congested traffic, not only is there frustration but they are burning fossil fuels that are leading to the acceleration of climate change. What is the Department doing? Ms O'Hanlon's remit is sustainability and climate. What is the Department doing in terms of mitigation policies around extreme weather events? In Waterford, when there are heavy rains the train station floods. What moneys have been set aside? Is the Department adapting or mitigating in this regard?

The freight train between Ballina and Waterford ended service in May 2018. It seems regressive that we are pushing away from using systems of transport. In that case, one could have taken the train from Rosslare through to Waterford and up to Ballina. What will happen with that railway line?

Could it be used for public transport services because, again, tourism forms part of the Department's remit? Could tourists be brought by rail from Rosslare along the Wild Atlantic Way via Waterford? We could probably still do it. What is the policy on closed and abandoned railway lines in the context of greenway development?

On procurement and the use of EV buses, if one travels to Nijmegen or anywhere else in the Netherlands, one will see that the shift to electric buses has already been made. What can we do to speed up the process?

What is the strategy for the future for the rail line running from Waterford to Limerick Junction? Has there been any discussion in the Department on connecting Waterford, Limerick and Galway on the rail network?

Having regard to climate change, cost, affordability and the difficulties experienced by students in renting, what do the officials think about making public transport in all its forms free for students? Do they think this would be a realistic idea, given the pressure exerted by affordability, to encourage young people to use public transport?

It is funny that I am raising the issue of BlaBlaCar-----