I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 613 together.
My Department published a draft Framework “Investing in Our Transport Future” for public consultation in August last. The draft framework was drawn up by a steering group which set out to establish priorities and principles to guide future decisions around the level and focus of land transport investment.
Some 64 submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties. Having considered the submissions made, my Department is in the process of finalising a consultation report and resulting revisions that are proposed to the draft Framework.
Ireland has particularly challenging carbon emissions targets for 2020 and the Government has announced an ambition to radically reduce carbon emissions by 2050. The work undertaken by the Steering Group considered the role of land transport investment in carbon emissions mitigation.
The draft Framework highlighted the important role that improvements in the planning system and investment in public transport and cycling and walking can play in reducing emissions, particularly in urban areas.
However, for a significant proportion of car journeys in Ireland such modal shift is not a viable option. A significant change in the carbon emitting profile of the Irish vehicle fleet will be needed, and this is outside of the scope of the funding framework. Similarly, any measures promoting or marketing modal shift or behavioural change to sustainable transport require current funding. They are therefore also outside of the scope of this particular document, which relates to the capital investment framework, although they are of course an important part of my Department's work more generally.
Revisions are being made to the draft Framework in light of the consultation responses which will put greater emphasis on the interaction between transport investment decisions and mitigation of carbon emissions and the revised Framework will be published in due course.
