Vol. 564 No. 1
288 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which Ireland will participate in European Mobility Week which grew from car-free day in France in 1998 and by 2002 involved an estimated 100 million people in 37 countries across Europe. [8794/03]
Ireland has participated annually in European car-free day since 2000 and the number of participating cities and towns has doubled in the interim. The purpose of the event is to promote more sustainable modes of transport and to provide urban dwellers with an opportunity to experience their city or town in a car free environment each 22 September. My Department works closely with Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Department of Transport to encourage and support local authorities and transport operators to participate in the event. In 2002, European car-free day events were organised in Cork city, Dublin city, Dun Laoghaire, Galway city, Greystones, Kilkenny city, Limerick city, Newcastle West, Portlaoise and Waterford city. In 2002, some 1,500 cities and towns participated in events across Europe and further afield.
European mobility week took place for the first time in 2002 and some 300 cities and towns participated across Europe. Involved was a series of events aimed at promoting sustainable modes of transport over a full week commencing on 16 September and culminating on European car-free day on 22 September. Participating cities and towns are required to organise at least one themed event each day dedicated to sustainable mobility. Ireland did not participate in European mobility week 2002 as efforts to date have concentrated on building up participation in European car-free day and consolidating that day as an annual national event. Decisions on whether to extend participation to European mobility week in 2003 are a matter for individual participating cities and towns in the first instance, but such extended participation will be encouraged by my Department where possible and appropriate.
