Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with Dublin Airport regarding the availability of cycling equipment and infrastructure in the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54933/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The DAA has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport including the provision of sustainable transport infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure, in the airport.

The Capital Investment Programme 2020+ for Dublin Airport considers upgrades to sustainable transport infrastructure, which includes cycling, as vital components to improve overall airport mobility and general sustainability objectives.

In the recent publication of the National Transport Authority’s Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022 to 2042, it is recognised that Dublin Airport – as a major employer, passenger destination and freight hub – access by all modes is vital. The strategy incorporates MetroLink, BusConnects Dublin and demand management measures which will enhance and protect essential access to Dublin Airport, and ensure that it will operate in a sustainable fashion in terms of landside transport. It also acknowledges that surface access to the Airport will be periodically reviewed and improved as necessary.

I have made €289 million available this year to local authorities around the country through the National Transport Authority to progress the delivery of approximately 1200 walking and cycling projects around the country, in addition to an investment of €60 million in our Greenway network funded through Transport Infrastructure Ireland. While no specific engagement with Dublin Airport has taken place to date regarding the availability of cycling equipment and infrastructure in the airport, the Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport and will continue to undertake research into the best possible interventions which could be introduced to encourage modal shift away from private cars.

As the Deputy will be aware, all of our State bodies, including the DAA, are expected to have regard to, and play a role in,  wider Government policies including the Climate Action Plan.