andMr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the action taken by Ireland on the promotion of public transport in an urban context under the EEC energy programme which was agreed in March 1976.
Written Answers. - Urban Public Transport.
395.
I assume that the Deputies are referring to the Council recommendation of 4 May 1976 on the rational use of energy in urban passenger transport, which sought, inter alia, to encourage the use of public transport.
The Government are particularly conscious of the need to promote greater use of public transport services in urban areas for a number of reasons, including energy conservation. The greatest need and opportunities for the promotion of public transport exist in the Dublin area.
The Transport Consultative Commission, which presented its report on passenger transport services in the Dublin area in March 1980, paid special attention to energy matters. The Commission considered that the most effective conservation measures would be those aimed at achieving:
(i) a greater utilisation and increased efficiency of public transport; (ii) a reduced but more effective use of private cars; (iii) improved traffic flow through better traffic management.
A traffic management strategy based on the Commission's recommendations is at present being pursued by the specially appointed Dublin Transportation Task Force.
In addition to the foregoing measures the Government in 1979 approved the CIE proposals for the electrification of the Howth/Bray suburban rail service which, when it becomes operational in 1983, will more than double the passenger capacity of the existing service. The choice of electric traction rather than diesel traction reflected the Government's concern to reduce dependence on oil in the urban transport sector.