Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It will have to go to the Government first. There have been slight changes in the plans even this week. For example, there will be a vote of confidence next Tuesday.

I was meant to be at the EU Energy Council. I may have to reconsider that now because of the vote of confidence. The strategy was due to go to Government slightly later than that. We will have to get the timeline of the Government on that. The strategy was going to Government for information. We are up and running and doing the work in the climate action plan.

The strength of our legislation should not be underestimated. The requirement for us to deliver on the provisions in the climate action plan is backed up by strong law. As one of the actions in our climate action plan, the demand management piece must and will proceed. Much of the reporting on it last week was speculative in indicating that it definitely means this or that. It does not. We are looking at options but the options should be aimed at accelerating the active travel public transport alternatives as well as the work that has been ongoing. We should not wait until the end of the year for the demand management study to finish. We need to deliver the 35 pathfinder projects we have in train. The Deputy will be aware of the recent good news in Limerick where it seems planning for the route along the South Circular Road has got through the council. There is also good news in Naas. I understand Kildare County Council is supporting a significant project to reform the town. There is also good news in Athlone, where we put in the electric bus service and in Waterford where we are building the River Suir sustainable transport bridge.

We need to change everything very quickly if we are going to meet these climate targets. Doing so will be good for the country, both urban and rural areas. We must not wait for the demand management strategy to be completed. We have to start building and delivering now.