John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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659. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to carry out a review of public transport and active travel policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29807/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, in the coming weeks and in line with a Programme for a Partnership Government commitment, I will seek the public's views on public transport and active travel policy.  This review will allow all stakeholders to reflect on what has been achieved, what remains to be done and how our policy frameworks can support the realisation of a more sustainable transport system.

Last year, as part of this review I hosted a Round-Table Dialogue on Public Transport Policy in the Mansion House at which representatives from a broad spectrum of interest groups in the wider public and sustainable transport sector attended.

Discussions at last year's event looked at the potential challenges and competing priorities likely to arise in the future across all aspects of public transport and active travel provision including economic, social and environmental considerations.  These discussions have helped inform the policy review work which my Department has been undertaking.

That work has represented a significant commitment of resources in order to undertake the comprehensive analysis this important policy area demands.

This work is now nearing completion and I will launch a public consultation shortly by publishing a comprehensive suite of documents looking at the most important areas of public transport and active travel policy and seeking the views of all stakeholders.  I will also publish a report of last year's Dialogue with stakeholders, an Ex Post Evaluation of the Smarter Travel Areas programme 2012-2016 and a high-level assessment of the actions under the existing policies, Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future and the National Cycle Policy Framework.

I look forward to the next phase of this work and engaging with the public and all stakeholders as we look to shape the future direction of public transport policy.