National Transport Strategy: Consultation Events & Update
On 16 April 2024, the Government approved for public consultation a new national transport strategy, ‘Moving Together – A Strategic Approach to the Improved Efficiency of the Transport System in Ireland’. The Strategy along with a draft Implementation Plan have been published as part of the consultation here.
In addition to the online public consultation, which remains open until 21 August, and given the breath of action needed (over 35 separate recommendations in the draft Strategy), the Department is keen to reach out to a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in this area, to hear their thoughts and to ensure that there is a well-informed response to the consultation process.
As this Strategy is intended to be a call for collective action across Government and society to affect a wholesale change in the transport system, this engagement is about giving voice to a wide range of stakeholders and to understanding where contributions can reasonably be made by business, commercial and non-commercial organisations, community groups and local partnerships. Equally, it’s important for the department to understand any limitations regarding potential contributions – having particular regard to the need for a Just Transition.
DoT is being supported by BABLE Smart Cities to engage with key stakeholders, and to ensure a diverse range of perspectives are integrated into the finalisation of the Strategy.
Further Context
Building on other policies and initiatives such as the National Sustainable Mobility Policy and related investment in walking, cycling, and public transport infrastructure/services, it is intended that this new Strategy will highlight ways to reduce the need for unsustainable travel, where suitable alternatives exist.
For some context, the National Household Travel Survey 2022 reported that almost 7 in 10 (69%) of journeys in Ireland are made by car, with trips below 3 kilometres accounting for approximately 35% of all journeys nationally. This has resulted in rising levels of congestion in our cities and towns, and consequential impacts on air quality, safety and the attractiveness of urban centres as destinations. While passenger cars were responsible for almost half (49%) of all emissions last year, heavy goods vehicles and light goods vehicles were also responsible for 21% and 22% respectively.
As such, the recommendations in the draft Strategy seek to encourage less use of private cars, particularly for shorter journeys, and the development of options for offsetting the impacts of longer and more inefficient journeys (both private and commercial) such as – but not limited to – the expansion of remote working hubs, carpooling, journey/freight consolidation, innovative approaches to deliveries, employer initiatives, demand reduction plans, better communications and strengthened mechanisms for compact development.
A draft Implementation Plan has also been published alongside the Strategy, and the Department would welcome any views on the actions contained – perceived challenges, gaps or opportunities – from the perspective of the sector, organisation, company or group that you represent. These views will be an important input into the shaping of the final strategy for submitting to Government at the end of 2024.
Engagement Sessions
Sessions will be held in Cork, Dublin and Carrick-on-Shannon.
The Enterprise sessions may be of interest and relevance to event promoters, tourism stakeholders, transport and parking operators, insurance industry, automobile associations, company car leasing companies, fleet managers etc and groups representing business, retail and industry. The Community sessions may be of more interest to stakeholders from local government, and representatives from community, rural, youth or local groups such as local sports and health partnerships, public participation networks, road safety advocacy groups, farming organisations etc. These are non-exhaustive lists.
There will be natural overlap between issues covered in both sessions so attendees should not feel limited by the above descriptors and feel free to choose a session that is of most convenience. All views raised in each session will be fully considered.
Please register by filling in this form to confirm your attendance.
If you would like to nominate someone else from your organisation to attend, please share this link with them. As above, you are welcome to attend any session.
Please indicate your choice of location/time in the registration form.
Community
- Cork: 29th July @ 15:00pm-17:00pm (Millennium Hall, Cork City Hall, Anglesea Street)
- Carrick-on-Shannon – 31st July @ 11:00am-13:00 pm (Carrick-on-Shannon Business Campus, Dublin Road,
- Dublin – 1 August @ 12:30pm-14:30pm (Department of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2)
Enterprise
- Cork – 29th July @ 10:30am-12:30pm (Millennium Hall, Cork City Hall, Anglesea Street)
- Carrick-on-Shannon – 30th July @ 15:00pm-17:00pm (Carrick-on-Shannon Business Campus, Dublin Road)
- Dublin – 1 August @ 09:00am-11:00pm (Department of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2)
