Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 658: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy on extending the Dublinbikes schemes to other cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14085/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Recognising the success of the Dublinbikes scheme, the Programme for Government commits my Department to look to extend the scheme to other cities and integrate the scheme more effectively with public transport links. Following an analysis, carried out at my request, on the potential for the expansion of the Dublinbikes scheme to other cities, consultations on the potential for and means of securing new city bike schemes were launched in November 2011 with symposiums held in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Galway to inform and involve key business and civil stakeholders.

My Department and the National Transport Authority have considered the responses, including the key issues identified, such as the changed commercial environment to that which existed when the Dublinbikes scheme was negotiated and different characteristics of scheme provision in smaller cities. Further technical analysis will now be undertaken by the NTA to detail and specify proposed schemes (including costs) providing more complete information to allow decisions be taken on how best to proceed.