Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 250 seeks to amend section 27 concerning the content of regional spatial and economic strategies and specifically in relation to the inclusion of integrated land use and transportation strategy in respect of city and metropolitan areas, where relevant. For this purpose, metropolitan area of a city is defined as the area consisting of the city and its surrounding area approximating to the extent of its commuting zone. This amendment seeks to stipulate that the commuting zone relates to public transport modes only. I cannot accept the amendment as to do so may have unintended consequences. While the importance of using and promoting public transport is fully accepted by all, to accept this amendment could impact the definition of the metropolitan area of cities where public transport is not as well developed as it is in other cities.