Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA is leading the development and roll-out of strategic park and ride nationwide through its park and ride development office.

The NTA established the park and ride development office in February 2020 and it has been included in the climate action plan since 2019. The function of the office is to enable the delivery of park and ride sites by the NTA in collaboration with local authorities and transport operators, such as Iarnród Éireann, across the country. Through the park and ride development office, full-time specialist resources are now employed on such projects.

The park and ride development office has developed a park and ride strategy for Galway. That park and ride strategy envisages the development of up to five bus-based strategic park and ride sites - three for initial development and two for future development - and the expansion of rail-based park and ride site at Oranmore station.

Work by the park and ride development office is ongoing in relation to proposed bus-based park and ride sites on the N6, at the junction 19 Oranmore exit, and the N83, just north of Claregalway. Planning for enhanced rail infrastructure to facilitate the expansion of rail-based park and ride at Oranmore station is separately being undertaken by Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the NTA.

Work on the remaining proposed sites will commence at a future date as they are highly dependent upon the delivery of bus priority along the relevant connecting corridors.

Overall, I welcome these developments. I share the Deputy's frustration. I look forward to the projects progressing at these strategic locations to help reduce the distance travelled by car, with a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions and congestion.

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