Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Transport when the new park and ride facilities in the Dublin area, recently announced, will be operational; the number and location of such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15565/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to create extra parking facilities in the vicinity of all railway stations with a view to alleviating road traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15872/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 146 together.

Park and ride is included as an element of the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, transport strategy 2000-16, A Platform for Change. Where their use is appropriate, such facilities need to be designed and implemented in association with other measures, such as public transport improvements, traffic management and parking controls. A Dublin Transportation Office working group, consisting of representatives of the DTO itself, Iarnród Éireann, RPA and the local authorities, produced a strategy in November 2004 for the development of rail-based park and ride facilities in the greater Dublin area.

Earlier this week, I had a detailed and very productive discussion with the chairman and chief executive of the DTO on the findings and recommendations of this strategy. I will communicate with the DTO in the next few days setting out my response to its strategy.

I am acutely aware of the need to develop appropriate park and ride facilities in order to facilitate as in other major urban areas, the modal shift from car use to the use of public transport. Officials in my Department are continuing to consult the relevant authorities to ensure this matter is given adequate attention and support will be provided in appropriate cases. As tangible evidence of this policy, my Department provided financial support for a 920 space park and ride facility which opened in Cork in December 2004.