Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Measures such as the modernisation of the bus fleet obviously help to reduce the fleet's CO2 emissions and its contribution to environmental damage. A range of public transport initiatives have been introduced, including infrastructural projects and measures to remove trucks from some routes. People can see the visible improvement these measures have had, for example, in improving the quality of life for people living in Dublin. Deputy Barrett is correct in that everyone must put his or her shoulder to the wheel in the area of environmental protection and engage in more environmentally friendly behaviour, particularly in the area of transport. The significant investment initiatives in public transport under Transport 21 are designed to reduce the rate of increase seen in private vehicle use and ensure that people have quality options which are more environmentally friendly.

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