Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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537. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the establishment of a public transport recovery task force will be considered to be independently chaired and include all key stakeholders and organisations involved in public transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9691/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Ensuring the provision of integrated public transport services (bus, rail, light-rail and taxi) by public and private operators throughout the State is the statutory responsibility of the National Transport Authority.

The Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that are to carry on. I would like to thank operators and staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times.

Over the course of the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has been working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ensure public transport services continue and to plan for the provision of enhanced public transport services in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. In this context, the NTA is engaging directly with both PSO and commercial transport operators. In relation to active travel the NTA has offered financial and technical support to all local authorities in order to deliver improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country. The NTA’s technical and financial support will be funded by my Department’s sustainable mobility investment programme and will support delivery of measures such as:

- widening of footpaths to facilitate queuing outside shops and enable social distancing

- potential pedestrianisation of some streets where necessary and feasible to accommodate social distancing, particularly where this supports business activities

- potential one-way systems to create space for footpath widening

- altering traffic signal times to reduce pedestrian waiting/crowding plus the automatic activation of some pedestrian phases in order to aid pedestrian movement and to minimise contact with signal push buttons

- providing additional temporary facilities for cyclists

- provision of some external space where appropriate to support business activities

My Department is also engaging directly with PSO and commercial operators to help inform policy decisions in relation to the public transport sector as we progress through the various phases of the Roadmap. My Department is also engaged intensively across Government in relation to progressing relevant issues. In view of these necessary approaches and engagements to address what is already a complex and difficult set of issues, I have no plans, at this time, to establish an additional administrative structure.