Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I again thank Deputy John Connolly for his remarks and contribution. He is right that there is a need for co-ordination between all the different agencies and stakeholders to ensure we deliver for citizens and residents. I thank him for raising the matter, which is of huge importance to him, the people of Galway and the wider community. It has an impact on life and impinges on the quality of business and how people operate and on the quality of life. The Government is committed to active travel and putting in place a network under BusConnects to make it easier for people to get around and to meet our climate action and sustainability plan requirements.

Galway City Council's Western Distributor Road scheme, which is at planning stage, has a primary aim of allowing residents of the Knocknacarra area of Galway city to utilise more sustainable transport modes, such as walking, cycling and wheeling, which would provide safer and more sustainable options for children and vulnerable users to travel to school, nearby shops and community facilities. The active travel project is envisioned to provide these safer, segregated wheeling and cycling facilities in the short term, targeting construction completion by 2026 or early 2027.

I will take the points the Deputy made back to the Department and the NTA. He made valid points about the issue of the Western Distributor interchange as regards the retail park and about the use of bus lanes. It is about making sure people are able to commute and access different parts of Galway, rather than being stuck in gridlock. As I said - I am repeating myself - having experienced it at first hand a few weeks ago, I certainly have a better understanding this morning for having been there. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and I will bring his concerns back to the Minister.

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