Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is not appropriate. The Rural Independent Group Deputies spoke at length. They clearly did not read the amendment or understand the context of it, because what this amendment seeks to do is to not give the National Transport Authority, NTA, powers over local authorities. The group effectively argued for the amendment. I thank them for that.

I want to commend Deputy O’Reilly of Sinn Féin who spoke very well on the challenges facing cyclists and pedestrians in this country. She referenced campaigner Neil Fox, who has done incredible work in honour and memory of her sister Donna who was killed on our roads. I commend Deputy O’Reilly on that contribution.

In the limited time I have available, I will take on board the Minister’s points. I would ask that he considers them in the round on the next Stage. There is a situation in Galway where the Galway BusConnects plan has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála and it seeks to demolish private houses to create lanes for vehicles. I do not think that is a positive development. When we are creating sustainable and active travel infrastructure, we should not be taking people’s private property and demolishing houses. We should be taking that space from vehicular carriageways, where that is possible. That is the intent of this amendment.

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