Vol. 445 No. 6
240 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment if Ireland has signed the European Charter of pedestrians rights as adopted by the European Parliament on 12 October 1988; and the action, if any, he is taking to implement the Charter. [281/94]
The European Charter of Pedestrians' Rights is comprised in a resolution adopted by the European Parliament in 1988. Unlike a treaty or international convention, there is no provision for its signature or ratification by EU member states but, like other resolutions passed by the Parliament, it is taken into account when formulating national policy.
The Roads Acts, 1993, places an obligation on road authorities to consider the needs of all road users when performing their road construction and maintenance functions. The final report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative makes a number of specific recommendations in relation to pedestrian facilities. I have allocated grants totalling £315,000 this year to the Dublin local authorities to improve pedestrian facilities in a way which is consistent with these recommendations.
