Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has considered the recommendations of the rural transport report recently published by an organisation (details supplied); if he will implement any of the proposals outlined in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23112/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I presume that the Deputy is referring to the research study Towards A Sustainable Rural Transport Policy relating to the challenges of developing more sustainable travel patterns for persons living in rural areas, which Comhar, the Sustainable Development Council, commissioned Irish Rural Link to undertake.

The research findings in the Comhar/Irish Rural Link report are broadly consistent with the aims and objectives of the Government's sustainable transport policy as set out in Smartertravel – A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009 to 2020, which was published earlier this year. Both documents recognise the need for more sustainable alternatives to the private car as the primary means of transport, the importance of reducing overall travel demand through mobility management measures, the importance of maximising the efficiency of the public transport network through greater alignment between land use and transport planning policies, the need to reduce transport emissions, and the importance of improving accessibility to sustainable means of transport.

The Comhar/Irish Rural Link report is currently being examined by my officials and the proposals contained therein will be borne in mind in the context of progressing the various actions relating to rural transport that are contained in Smartertravel.