Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the initiatives that he is undertaking in 2022 to reduce the carbon footprint of the transport sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21089/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Transport activity and demand are closely linked to employment and economic activity. Anticipated demographic growth will lead to increases in these areas. As a result, transport is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise. Nonetheless, immediate action is necessary.

In recent months, my Department has advanced a variety important policy initiatives which will make a significant impact - notably a new Sustainable Mobility Policy, a new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy, the National Transport Investment Framework, a Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement and a 5 Cities Demand Management Study and associated toolkit. Later this year, we will be publishing a 10 year Haulage Strategy which will inter alia, consider the long term decarbonisation options for this sector

In terms of investment, through the NTA, we are advancing work on rural public transport (Connecting Ireland), Bus Connects and Active Travel programmes which will seek to promote modal shift to more sustainable transport, along the continued electrification of the public transport fleet and expansion of DART services. My Department is also considering how we can refine current commitments in order to deliver additional emissions reductions in a fair and equitable manner over the next 8 years.

Reducing car dependency and implementing a radical shift towards sustainable mobility is the ultimate goal. As investments and projects in transport often materialise over the medium-term, my Department is taking action now that will pay dividends in future years.