Written answers

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Transport Policy

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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109. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he will address a recent request by the National Transport Authority for a clear policy commitment to bring forward legislative changes to allow it to carry out camera-based enforcement of bus lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16658/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The success of bus priority measures is an essential component in persuading people to switch from their cars to public transport, thereby reducing emissions and congestion. It is therefore necessary to ensure that we have the best possible system for enforcement of the rules on bus corridors, particularly in the context of BusConnects.

Officials in my Department are engaging with the National Transport Authority and other stakeholders to see how this can best be achieved.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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110. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future - A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009 - 2020 is an active transport policy; if so, the progress in implementing this policy to date; his plans for future implementation and revision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16660/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy states,Smarter Travel - A Sustainable Transport Future was published in 2009 and set out national policy in relation to sustainability in transport over the period 2009 to 2020.

Smarter Travel remains government policy. Noting the policy horizon envisaged at the time of publication ends this year, the Deputy may be aware that an assessment of implementation progress has already been published and is available to view on my Department's website.

That assessment was conducted as part of the broader review of sustainable mobility policy which my Department has been undertaking. Over 250 submissions were received as part of a public consultation process held between end-November 2019 and February 2020 and these are currently being analysed. I intend to publish a report of the public consultation process shortly.

Unfortunately the targets in the Smarter Travel policy are not being achieved, reflecting the fact that some of the key actions in the policy have not been implemented. I intend, relying on this assessment and consultation, to develop a new policy framework for the next 10 years that can provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme. The new policy statement will build on the policies and actions of Smarter Travel and set out additional polices and actions to advance the ambitions of the Programme for Government in the area of sustainable mobility, including active travel, and will replace the 2009 policy.

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