Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have seen the dramatic effects of Covid on transport and mobility patterns. To what extent can long-term changes be made regarding those patterns? I am thinking, in particular, about the changes to transport in the Phoenix Park proposed by the Office of Public Works, OPW, which are currently subject to public consultation.It is acknowledged in the report and research that the park plays a strategic transport function in Dublin 15 and beyond because of a lack of alternative road and public transport infrastructure, yet the plans only take into consideration what happens in the park and not what happens outside the walls of the park, which comes under the remit of the Minister. The communities of Castleknock, Chapelizod, the Navan Road and Blackhorse Avenue believe all of this is connected and the park is not an island.

One of the positives of the plan is that one can see that the future plans for cycling connect up with the park. The investment and resources that we are putting behind cycling, walking and active transport are fantastic but they do not seem to link up beyond cycling. Should there be an impact assessment done on what happens outside the park with regard to the plans? Should there be integrated plans in advance of those plans being agreed, taking into consideration the connectivity of the community? Would an integrated approach increase our overall collective goals of better walking, better cycling, more sustainable transport and fewer cars?