Greenhouse gas emissions from Irish transport at present represent some 15% of total national greenhouse gas emissions. However, this transport share of emissions is forecast to increase to some 19% by the year 2010. The transport sector, therefore, clearly presents a challenge in terms of Ireland's obligations under the Kyoto Protocol on limitation of greenhouse gas emissions. In broad terms, this challenge will have to be met, as provided for in the Government's national climate change strategy, through a combination of the following: active encouragement of more efficient road vehicles having regard to EU agreements with vehicle manufacturers; promotion of beneficial modal shifts, particularly in urban areas; and other demand management measures. Implementation of these measures, which are set out in detail in the national climate change strategy, are being pursued by my own Department and the other Departments and agencies concerned.
The hugely increased levels of investment in public transport including infrastructure and rolling stock under the NDP will assist in reducing reliance on the private car. The 2003 Estimates provision of €400 million for capital investment in rail and bus infrastructure and rolling stock is a 138% increase on the 1999 investment level. This capital investment is complemented by a revenue subvention in 2003 of €244 million – up 84% on 1997. Total Exchequer investment in public transport in 2003 will be approximately €650 million.
In so far as national roads are concerned, the reality is that despite the poor quality of the road network it is the primary mode of internal transport. An upgraded national road network is necessary to underpin social and economic development and more balanced regional development. It is also necessary to remove large volumes of through traffic from towns and villages around the country and to improve the level of road safety.
