Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take that point. I just wanted to clarify the other point. I thank Mr. Blevings. That is the case. There are much more volatile movements now than we see on a budget day and I take that point.

Mr. Mcllduff mentioned that 12% of journeys in urban areas are made by public transport but only 1.9% of journeys in thinly populated areas are made by public transport. Some 83% of journeys in thinly populated areas are made in cars. Are 15% of rural journeys taken by people walking or cycling? That must be the case. It is obviously much more difficult to do that in rural areas, where distances are much greater and facilities are more sparse. Where do the witnesses think the answer lies? Do we need different settlement patterns? The houses are there and people are living in them. What can we do to facilitate people living in those areas, in particular?

Electric cars will have an effect. Some 12% of cars are now electric, which is a significant increase in a short period. Our guests might tell us the figures for last year and the year before that. However, many people are not in a position to buy a new car. At the rate at which electric cars are being purchased, where will our vehicle stock be in 2030? I know that prices are falling and over time, there will be an increase in the sales of EVs. Are we anywhere near where we are supposed to be? Based on what we are doing now, where will we be in 2030? How will the reality compare with our targets?