Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know that the Deputy is a big supporter of the initiative and is passionate about it. Last week, I met one of her constituents, a múinteoir as Na Forbacha through the Irish cycling network. Bhíomar ag caint faoin stailc agus na fadhbanna sna Forbacha agus i mBearna freisin. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall cabhair a thabhairt do na daoine i mBearna agus sna Forbacha.

In relation to the overall subject, I am happy to look specifically, as an example, at the CARO in Galway. We are about ten weeks into this job and all of us, including the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and I, are getting used to the new infrastructure and the stakeholders that are there. I had a very good meeting last week on the Irish cycling network. The active travel budget is substantial, although I know it does not cover everything that is asked for every year. What we are trying to do is look at what can be implemented on an annualised basis. To have €360 million this year is significant. The review of the national development plan that we are undertaking will continue to significantly increase active travel, which the people want.

This goes back to the Deputy’s point about the residents in Galway city looking to move towards zero waste 20 years ago. They were ahead of their legislators at the time. Legislators have caught up and we are now funding it at a rate we have never done before. Do we need to do more to support communities? Of course, and I get that. The biggest changes we will make are at the on-the-ground level within communities. The response to active travel has been exceptional. I have seen this all the way across the country, including in my own area of north Dublin. People respond to it incredibly well. I will be looking at ways to increase that budget from 2026 onwards to deliver more projects. We are now seeing these active travel projects and networks start to link up, which is positive. I am happy to work directly with the Deputy and, using Galway as an example, to speak to the Deputy’s point about under-resourcing, which I would like to understand better.

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