Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully agree. It is very important in all of the investment decisions and change that we are trying to make that we bring people with us. People need clear messaging and awareness of climate action and the other benefits of sustainable mobility, including the benefits to individuals, families, communities and businesses. Achieving a shift to zero or low carbon transfer modes, including active travel and public transport, will require significant buy-in.

There is a lot of work going on. As part of the national sustainable mobility policy, there is development and implementation of a public engagement strategy to promote the benefits of sustainable mobility and to raise public awareness of options. There is a new and enhanced option as part of the climate action plan this year which provides for the development of that strategy. The roll-out of that is co-ordinated across the Department of Transport and other agencies within transport to underpin the strategy.

As the Deputy said, there has been significant recruitment in local authorities across active travel so they can get the roll-out of the capital investment. There is full engagement as part of the communications strategy to make sure we bring people with us. With regard to demand management, a key part of that is the communications piece. In any decisions that will be made, there has to be engagement and community buy-in.

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