Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
139. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to improve the sustainable transport access and infrastructure at all ferry ports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20496/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future makes two commitments regarding passengers travelling by sea without a car. These relate to increasing the numbers of cycling and foot passengers and improving access.
In line with these commitments, my department reviewed the services and facilities available to accommodate foot and cycle passengers at our seaports and on ferry services out of Ireland. While the impacts of Brexit, COVID-19 and the current war in Ukraine have delayed this work, engagement with the shipping operators on the issue will resume shortly, with the matter already being flagged by my department at the most recent meeting of the National Maritime Facilitation Committee in March.
My department will also engage with the passenger ports in Dublin, Rosslare and Cork on their plans for ensuring continued access to ferry services for foot passengers and their work with the ferry companies in this regard. Based on the outcome of that engagement, my department will assess what changes need to be encouraged to enhance the passenger experience and make it a more attractive option for the travelling public.
Providing sustainable transport connections to ferry ports widens the potential passenger catchment for ferries and delivers convenient alternatives to car only access. The overall transport system currently supports and facilitates travel to and from ferry ports by sustainable transport in several ways. In terms of planning a journey, the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Journey Planner app includes ferry details for ferries within Ireland. In terms of public transport networks, the location of ferry ports is factored into the planning of the transport networks. In particular, during the development of recent bus network redesigns in various cities, the need to provide an appropriate level of bus connectivity to ports has been factored into the redesign process, and appropriate service provision included.
Further work is needed in some areas to provide a more integrated transport experience between public transport services and ferry services, and this will be examined, particularly when new public transport services are being introduced, as will be the case under BusConnects and Connecting Ireland, or where existing services are being amended.
Substantial funding for active travel infrastructure has been provided by the Government, equating to €360 million per year, and local authorities can avail of that funding stream, which is largely managed by the NTA, to enhance and develop active travel links to the relevant port.
Additionally, port companies themselves have been planning and developing improved cycle connections within their own estate area, to link with the external infrastructure provided by the local authorities. Dublin Port Company in particular have advanced plans to enhance cycle accessibility with the Dublin Port lands, and plan to provide significant cycling routes within the Port.
With regard to rail access, my department, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), is undertaking a Strategic Rail Review which will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the period to 2040. The Review will consider, amongst other matters, connectivity to our air and seaports. This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead. A final Report is due by the end of this year.
