Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy in relation to the development of long distance greenways for cycling and walking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4292/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The vision of the National Cycle Policy Framework which was adopted in 2009 was to "create a strong cycling culture in Ireland".  Objective 3 of this policy sought to "provide designated rural cycle networks especially for visitors and recreational cycling". The policy identified the delivery of a National Cycle Network as the key to achieving this objective. 

 Following the policy launch the National Roads Authority were requested to carry out an initial scoping study into the potential scale and extent of a National Cycle Network for Ireland.  An advisory group, including all the necessary stakeholders, was set up under the auspices of the National Trails Advisory Committee to assist in this work.  The initial scoping study, published in 2010, identified routes to connect settlements around Ireland with populations of 10,000 or more and which would tie into tourist attractions around the country.  The resulting potential network consisted of 13 corridors totalling around 2,000 kilometres in length. 

It is accepted that in order to grow cycling  in Ireland as a valuable tourism resource it is necessary to have a network of routes of substantial length and quality in place which will be challenging and attractive to cyclist (and walkers) of all levels. 

The 277 kilometre Dublin-Galway corridor was identified as the ideal corridor to progress first for a number of reasons, the main being that the extensive route when completed would make sense in its own right, it also uses, for much of the route, land in State ownership. The route also forms part of Eurovelo 2 which provides a ready-made branding for the project that will assist in attracting overseas visitors.