Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have taken the Deputy's comments on board. Everything is being done to ensure the public transport network is maintained and enhanced from a qualitative perspective, in particular, to make customer journeys a better experience, whether that is through WiFi, the RTPI, the leap card and many other adjustments. While I was surprised by some of the figures produced by the analysis, I was taken aback by those on cycling.

Cycling is gaining huge popularity, particularly as a mode of travel to school and work. Anecdotally, cycling is being very much encouraged and it is progressing. The previous Administration helped in this regard with the provision of the tax scheme for bicycles and that has been maintained under this Government. We also need to see the end product from the funding in the smarter travel areas programme, active travel towns, the national cycle network and a number of other smarter travel initiatives and how they impact on these statistics in the years to come.

I am greatly encouraged by the response the Government has had to the call for private investors to come on board to roll out bike schemes in other cities. It is my ambition and that of the Government to introduce bike schemes in Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. I look forward to a bright future in this regard.

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