Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I welcome this debate. There are two important aspects thereto, the first of which concerns people travelling to and from work. In this regard, consider the unofficial, illegal park-and-ride facilities at Kilmoon Cross or at the motorway outside Drogheda, or at any of the areas where rural roads meet the motorways. It is very much part of transport policy to encourage people to leave their cars at home or not to bring them into the cities, if possible. Is it worth the Minister's while considering, with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the construction of properly equipped park-and-ride facilities, particularly in the counties around Dublin where unofficial facilities are being used?

The second aspect of the debate concerns drink driving. If we are to reduce the amount of alcohol people can have, the Minister should consider initiatives under the rural transport scheme whereby the local publican can be assisted, by way of VAT refunds or other measures, in purchasing a people carrier to drive customers home. We should allow for new ways to sustain rural life. The criticism we hear around the country is that rural life is changing rapidly and that the old way of life is changing even more rapidly. The provision of rural transport, particularly to and from places of recreation at night, should be reconsidered.

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