Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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259. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to the recent publication of the draft policy document, Investing in our Transport Future: A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport, if the target of reducing the total share of car commuting from 65% to 45% in 2020, that is, 500,000 more persons taking alternative means to commute to work, introduced in 2009 under the previous policy Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future, has now been formally abandoned as Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41829/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Smarter Travel Policy was developed in the context of the unsustainable levels of economic growth in the period to 2008. For example, it projected growth in car ownership from 1.92m in 2008 to 2.47m in 2020. The need for huge demand uptake within non-car modes was based on this scale of demand growth - which, following our economic difficulties, has not materialised, and is unlikely to do so in the period to 2020.  

Although such rapid growth in demand is not likely to occur, it is recognised that with renewed economic growth challenges for the transport sector with regard to congestion and climate change are re-emerging. The draft Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport takes a realistic approach at assessing the appropriate level of investment in transport infrastructure, and to developing principles and priorities for future investment in land transport that will yield the best return on investment. Cost effective investment in walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure are clearly prioritised in the draft framework - which is consistent with the goal of ensuring a more sustainable transport system. While the objectives of the Smarter Travel Policy remain, the levels of investment suggested within the Policy are not now possible or realistic given today’s economic realities. However, within the constraints of investment funding available, ensuring economically and environmentally sustainable investment in transport is a key aspect of the draft framework.