Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will appoint a national cycling and walking officer to his Department who would co-ordinate all bicycle commuting issues such as the provision of cycle-craft training free to all primary and secondary students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24321/07]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken to introduce a new national cycle network to promote both local and long distance cycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22739/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 92 together.

My Department has provided funding to support the development of cycle routes and facilities. It has also assisted specific initiatives such as the Safe Routes to Schools Programme supported by the Dublin Transportation Office. I am committed to increasing the use of cycling as a mode of transport and I am commissioning research on international best practice at present, which will inform the development of a National Cycle Policy. This, in turn, will feed into a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan, which I intend publishing in 2008 after a full public consultation process. The process will inform the precise measures to be adopted in relation to cycling and other issues.