Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely assure Deputy Cannon that we do care. Indeed the commitment in the programme for Government to walking and cycling infrastructure is very significant. I will raise the issues he put forward, especially the other jurisdictions he referenced, with the Minister and obviously with the Minister for Justice also. It is very important to educate people about this as well. I am a cyclist myself and have a huge interest in cycling. I have heard stories and seen anecdotal evidence about the problem. I think "Liveline" actually ran through one sequence of events that happened to a cyclist, in which he was pushed off his bike by a person in a car driving by. It was a completely criminal act that really endangered that person's life. We therefore have a huge amount of work to do in this area but the Government is committed to it. Cycling is sustainable and it improves one's quality of life, health and mental health. Obviously making the roads safer is key and the statistic the Deputy referenced about the increase in fatalities is alarming. I absolutely assure him we are committed. That can be seen in the commitment in the programme for Government. I will absolutely raise this with the Minister and with the Minister for Justice and do my best to get back to Deputy Cannon because he is a keen cyclist and he has done a lot for the area. We can see that in the work done by the former Minister, Mr. Ross, which Deputy Cannon was so instrumental in.

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