Ms Anne Graham:

I thank the Chairman and members of the committee for the invitation to attend the meeting. I understand that the committee wishes to focus on the road traffic (traffic and parking) (amendment) regulations 2019 and national cycling policy. To assist me in dealing with members' subsequent questions I am joined by Hugh Creegan, deputy CEO with the authority.

In terms of national cycling policy, the role of the NTA is to plan and deliver cycling infrastructure in accordance with national policy developed by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The NTA has developed cycling infrastructure plans for the greater Dublin area on a statutory basis and for the regional cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford on a non-statutory basis. These plans are used to direct the investment in cycling infrastructure which will facilitate the development of a network of safe cycling facilities in those cities. The authority allocates the funding provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to local authorities to deliver this infrastructure.

A key objective of the NTA is to increase the delivery rate of cycling infrastructure. Accordingly, the authority has put in place a dedicated cycle office to bring a number of projects forward for planning and construction. This is in addition to the projects that the local authorities are developing with the assistance of the NTA.

BusConnects Dublin is the largest cycling infrastructure project ever designed in the state. This project will deliver 200 km of segregated cycling infrastructure on the key radials into the city. BusConnects in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford will see similar ambitious cycling plans included. The authority has developed a cycle design manual which sets the design standard for cycling infrastructure to be designed for our cities and towns and will ensure that there is a consistent approach to designs. That concludes my statement and I and my colleague will be happy to respond to any questions the committee may have.