Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I think we would all agree that we could stay for much longer to interrogate this subject because it is so interesting. We will produce a good report from this session. Regarding accessibility and urban freight, both topics are frequently used as excuses for not changing the configuration of our streets. Again harking back to a trip to the Netherlands, I am reminded of an experience where I saw many more people with disabilities than I would see here at home. It struck me that because the Netherlands has a coherent and complete cycle network that it doubles up as a network for people who use various kinds of mobility devices. I ask the witnesses to comment on the accessibility arguments in this context and to bring some informed knowledge to this facet of the discussion.

Similarly, concerning urban freight and last-mile delivery, it is often argued that delivery vans, typically white, must be able to access our small streets to make deliveries and keep businesses going. Outside my office here in Dublin, though, is a cargo hub. I think it involves DHL or UPS, or one of those parcel companies, and it is run by Dublin City Council. A trailer full of parcels and deliveries is left in that spot each morning. Cargo bikes then come and go from it all day long to collect and deliver the parcels to businesses all around the city. Will the witnesses also elaborate on the public health co-benefits of much of what we have been talking about today? Not enough is said about how important it is to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, etc., and I would appreciate it if the witnesses could contribute more to the discussion on this aspect.