Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and for giving me the opportunity to outline the Government's commitment to smarter travel and to address the issue in question.

My Department provided almost €10 million in capital funding for projects under the jobs initiative scheme, which included the improvement of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and other sustainable transport measures in towns and rural areas outside the greater Dublin area. Works completed include cycle paths and cycle parking, pedestrian routes, improvements to pedestrian and cycling accessibility to key destinations including town centres, public transport locations and education centres or schools, low-cost traffic management and signage schemes and low-cost safety measures to enhance the attractiveness of walking and cycling.

Works at Stapleton Place, Dundalk, were funded under this jobs initiative scheme. These works comprised a two-way cycle track, enhanced pedestrian route and speed reduction measures on Stapleton Place from its junction with Hill Street to its junction with The Crescent. I must stress the design of the cycle lanes and associated works was and is a matter for Dundalk Town Council. My Department is not in a position to undertake or supervise that level of detail for each of the many projects funded throughout the country. I have been informed by Dundalk Town Council that a number of design issues have been raised locally concerning safety along this track, such as the interaction between cars and cyclists at certain junctions, car parking along the cycle route and the visibility of the kerb installed to separate the cycle track from the road. The local authority has undertaken to conduct another safety audit of the route and is engaging at present with the local community to address the safety issues raised. I hope any issues pertaining to this project can be resolved locally. I assure the Senator that when I visit the area, which I hope to do in the coming weeks, I will engage with the council, if necessary, in respect of this or any other matter that may be of assistance to the Senator.

This and other projects are important in making progress on sustainable travel. Persuading people to travel smarter is a key element of the Government's transport policy, that is, helping people to make smarter choices about their personal travel habits by choosing to walk, cycle or take public transport rather than taking the car for every journey. Smarter travel can be sidelined in the transport debate, as getting more people to cycle more often is not as straightforward a deliverable as a new stretch of motorway or a fleet of trains. No-one disagrees with the idea that increased walking and cycling or active travel is a good thing. What we need to accept as a nation is that a move to active travel is fast becoming a necessity. Active travel is necessary to improve the nation's health, to make our communities liveable and to reduce our emission outputs and energy use. A sustained shift to more active travel modes will contribute to our national competitiveness, as well as our well-being. Increased cycling and walking increases the health and fitness levels of the workforce, a less congested road network improves the movement of goods and people and towns that are not blocked with traffic are more attractive places in which to live and do business. My Department has taken a two-pronged approach to promoting active travel, namely, improving cycling and walking infrastructure around the country, thereby making it safer and more attractive to walk and cycle, allied with the promotion of active travel to persuade people to get out of their cars.

The final point I will make to the Senator is this is a matter for Dundalk Town Council. While she has brought it to my attention, it primarily is a matter for the council. That said, when I visit the area, if necessary I will discuss this and other matters with the council.