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In the short term, more people will wish to walk and cycle to shops, to work or just to get some exercise. I am glad to say that my Department, through the NTA, is helping to rethink how best our cities can support people switching to active travel modes and facilitate social distancing in urban centres. The NTA is working with local authorities to develop Covid mobility frameworks which will set out specific plans to improve walking and cycling infrastructure. The first framework is being developed with Dublin City Council. I understand that the initial draft will be available in the coming days. It will set out measures to be put in place in the coming weeks and months to facilitate the safe resumption of social and business activity. I intend that similar plans will be developed for Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

This emphasis on active travel is not just a short-term measure; it has been a feature of the submissions we received during our consultation on our sustainable mobility policy in the last few months. Along with these much-needed temporary measures, we are continuing to fund the longer-term projects like the Royal Canal greenway in Dublin, the Parnell Street improvements in Limerick and the extension of the Waterford greenway into the city centre.

On 1 May the Government published the roadmap for easing of restrictions, phase 1 of which begins next Monday. The challenge for the transport sector is to deliver services safely as restrictions are eased. The sector has continuously engaged with public health advice and we will work to provide safe transport services for our economy, for our people and for our country.

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