Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Due to the lack of public transport options, the current system has been orientated towards car ownership and use. Many workers and families, especially in rural Ireland, are completely reliant on private car use for education, work and leisure. The transport sector accounts for 17.7% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, investment in public transport can play a central role in helping to reduce our carbon emissions. While it must be acknowledged that the Government is now acting to reduce emissions and deliver environmental, social and economic benefits to all cities, towns and regions, it must also be said that we have not invested enough in public travel and active travel in the last decade. I wish to raise a number of items specifically related to disability access, the lack of public transport in rural parts of Louth and east Meath, and the affordability and reliability of existing services.

When the 2007-13 national development plan, Transforming Ireland - A Better Quality of Life For All, was launched, it provided for investment in infrastructure and social inclusion measures. Its key objective was to tackle structural and infrastructural barriers which impact on regional development and the quality of life of the older and disabled population. In 2021, this Government launched the renewed national development plan, which covers the 2021-30 period and places a particular focus on a cleaner, greener, connected Ireland. Now there is no question of a lack of investment in this renewed plan, but it is imperative that the Minister for Transport monitors and periodically audits progress on improving accessibility for all.

With regard to disability access, we need to consider the challenges faced daily by people with disabilities, the visually impaired, our senior citizens and those with mobility issues. Some 13.5% of the population have a disability, so ensuring universal access for all on public transport must be a priority. A constituent recently visited my office in Dundalk to complain that only one taxi is kitted out for wheelchair access in that town. The same man faced barriers in accessing public transport to get to the airport, even after making contact prior to his journey to ensure there was an access ramp and sufficient wheelchair space. This is unacceptable and is resulting in exclusion. Are our disabled constituents to stay at home? Transport solutions and mobility supports for those with a disability must be targeted immediately.

I agree with the motion that the timeline for the delivery of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan must be accelerated. Connectivity through rural connected hubs, as well as connecting rural communities through transport services, is crucial to keeping our rural communities alive. While it must be acknowledged that the newly announced Pathfinder programme will provide critical links for cyclists commuting to work and schools in my constituency of Louth and Meath, it will only benefit those living in close proximity to work or college who can cycle or walk.

Because Louth is located along the commuter belt, I welcome the new regional connections between the midlands and north-east regions linking Dundalk and Ardee, Drogheda and Trim, and Athlone and Longford. However, it must also be acknowledged that there is a lack of public transport infrastructure and public transport routes from rural parts of the constituency to larger areas, such as Dublin, with a high reliance on private commercial bus operators or cars.

With regard to the affordability and reliability of services, while the commute for those using public transport is perhaps more affordable than before due to the Taxsaver ticket price reduction, commuters in Dundalk and Drogheda are heavily dependent on commercial bus operators to provide these necessary routes to work or college in Dublin. The Government's failure to extend the 20% public transport fare reduction to commercial operators means that this initiative does not provide any relief to commuter costs amid this cost-of-living crisis.

Spain has recently implemented measures offering free travel on state-owned suburban and regional public transport from 1 September to 31 December 2022, thanks to a windfall tax. Germany introduced a nationwide ticket costing €9 a month offering unlimited travel on most public transport, apart from express intercity trains. Such initiatives will provide relief to commuter costs amid the cost-of-living crisis, while encouraging less car use and a reduction in fuel emissions.

The solution to transport emissions, which relates to cities as well as transport between cities, is to change our system to encourage public transport and active travel. It is not against motorists and does not say that we will not have or need additional roads, as we will need them, but that must be part of an overall plan that sees us meeting our emissions reduction targets. We need to ensure rural and urban transport is completely frequent, flexible, reliable and accessible. If we create that system, more and more people will use it and there will be less and less demand for people to have a car.

I am one of the lucky people who invested in an electric car two years ago. I have to be honest when I say it is by far the best car we have ever had. The simple reason is that I have electric charging points in my home and when I have to go to work I can charge it. I know many people who want to buy electric cars and cannot do so because of this. Electric cars are expensive. I know there are grants but it is a win-win for everybody if we can get the proper services for electric cars.

See this speech in context