Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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46. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in co-operation with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment he will elaborate a policy for the expansion of public transport and the radical reduction of public transport fares in order to avert the possibility of fines being imposed on Ireland for not reaching its CO2 emission targets by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42029/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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My Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment continue to work closely together to address our national climate change challenge. We have jointly convened an interdepartmental Low-Emitting Vehicles (LEV) Task Force to consider a suite of potential measures to expedite the deployment of low carbon transport technologies.  We have also worked closely on the National Mitigation Plan, recently published by Minister Naughten which establishes a clear pathway towards Ireland's objective of a low-carbon and climate resilient economy by 2050.  Transport is one of the four key sectors identified for sectoral mitigation programmes.

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland’s international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 is a national target, and not sectoral by nature.  Penalties for Member States failing to meet national carbon emission targets are under consideration at EU level and no determination has been made to date.

Nonetheless, the transport sector must and will continue to play a strong role in contributing to our national emissions reduction effort. Our welcome return to economic growth has brought with it an increase in transport demand and, without intervention, transport emissions will unquestionably continue to rise. The transport sector is faced with the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions without hindering social improvement or financial recovery.

To decarbonise transport a diverse range of measures is required, key among them being increasing public transport capacity, promoting sustainable travel and modal shift, and encouraging the uptake and deployment of cleaner alternative fuels and technologies. This is reflected in the wide-ranging set of transport mitigation measures included in the National Mitigation Plan and it is anticipated that these measures will develop further as climate research and technological innovations progress.

In suitable urban areas I am strongly committed to meeting increasing travel demand through enhanced public transport capacity and encouraging more cycling and walking journeys and, within the context of the Government's budgetary policy and competing expenditure needs, I am working to be able to invest more in such infrastructure and services over time.

The Deputy might note that in relation to public transport fare setting, the powers afforded to the National Transport Authority are statutory in nature and, as Minister, I do not have any function in fare determinations.

Outside urban areas - where dependence on private cars is strongest and where systems of public transport and active travel offer less realistic potential to addressing travel needs effectively and efficiently - a different solution must be sought, and here alternative fuels and technologies currently offer the most feasible and cost-effective answer.