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Seanad Éireann Vol. 250 Tuesday, No. 4 21 February 2017 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 21/02/2017A00100Business of Seanad 254 21/02/2017B00100Commencement Matters 254 21/02/2017B00150Cycling Policy 254 21/02/2017E00100Third Level Fees ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������258 21/02/2017G00250Services for People with Disabilities 261 21/02/2017N00100Order of Business 263 21/02/2017Z00275Industrial Dispute at Tesco Ireland: Motion ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������277 21/02/2017DD00100Recent Education Announcements: Statements 277 SEANAD ÉIREANN Dé Máirt, 21 Feabhra 2017 Tuesday, 21 February 2017 Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach an i gceannas ar 230 pm Machnamh agus Paidir. Reflection and Prayer. 21/02/2017A00100Business of Seanad 21/02/2017A00200An Cathaoirleach: I have received notice from Senator Alice-Mary Higgins that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to make a statement on his plans for the delivery and implementation of the national cycling framework and for the ap- pointment of a national cycling officer, in particular, how he intends to achieve the target of having 10% of all journeys to be on a bicycle in both urban and rural areas versus less than 2% at the moment, and whether he will set a spending target for cycling infrastructure for the National Transport Authority I have also received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter: The need for the Minister of Health to outline if he will take steps to seek an immediate resolution to the industrial relations issues in the Civil Registration Service which are hold- ing up the commencement of section 97 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 I have also received notice from Senator Billy Lawless of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to end the discrimination concerning eligibility of Irish citizens abroad for the third level free fees initiative I have also received notice from Senator Jennifer Murnane O’Connor of the following mat- ter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the provision of funding for Saplings special needs school in Graiguecullen, County Carlow, as the cur- rent building is not fit for purpose. I have also received notice from Senator Neale Richmond of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Social Protection to guarantee the medium to long-term 254 Seanad Éireann financial support for the local employment scheme. I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the current position on funding being provided for a new primary school, Scoil an Athar Tadhg, in Carrignavar, County Cork, and to confirm that it will proceed to the tendering process early in 2017. I have also received notice from Senator Keith Swanick of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to initiate a full review of services provided at St John of God north-east services, St Mary’s, Drumcar, County Louth I have also received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a comprehensive update on the Government’s efforts to press the British Government to implement the Stor- mont House Agreement with particular reference to the need to provide a truly independent investigations unit that will conduct effective, independent, reasonably prompt investiga- tions into conflict-related killings. I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion I have selected the matters raised by Senators Higgins, Noone, Lawless and Murnane O’Connor and they will be taken now Senators Richmond, Burke, Swanick and Ó Domhnaill may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise 21/02/2017B00100Commencement Matters 21/02/2017B00150Cycling Policy 21/02/2017B00200Senator Alice-Mary Higgins: I thank the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for joining us today I ask the Minister to make a statement on the national cycling framework, the appointment of a national cycling officer and, specifically, the commitment in the national cycling framework of having 10% of all journeys in urban and rural areas made on a bicycle and the journey we need to make from the 2% at the moment I also ask the Minister to address the spending target for cycling infrastructure for the National Transport Authority and whether he will seek to achieve a 10% of spend within the National Transport Authority, which is quite short of what the UN recommends which is 20% of national transport budgets to be spent on cycling There are multiple reasons I am asking for this specific focus on cycling. We know it is an efficient, a cheap, a healthy and an environmentally-friendly mode of transport, something which effectively tackles congestion and contributes to health, participation in public life and our climate ambitions, and I would like if the Minister could address that We saw in the newspapers today figures which show the public enthusiasm for cycling. Over the last decade, 12,000 cyclists are now crossing the canals, which is an increase of 7,000 254 21 February 2017 That is very much matched by a decrease of motorists making those journeys This can only be good for our city centre but while there is public enthusiasm, we have not seen the same level of enthusiastic engagement at departmental level and we still have a concern that cycling seems to be treated as a peripheral part of our transport strategy rather than a very central plank. We now see that a majority choose sustainable options in terms of entering Dublin city centre In other cities around the country, such as in Galway, people have said that if those options were being presented in terms of sustainable transport, many congestion problems could be solved and we could see that same balance of transport The Government recently issued a statement of strategy which made one reference to more commutes by way of walking and cycling but it did not really make the links - I would like if the Minister could elaborate on this - on how it would also fulfil the other goal of a low-carbon transport sector by 2050. What are the measures that will be put in place in terms of those more commutes by way of walking and cycling? We also have a smarter travel commitment since 2009 to reduce journeys taken by car from 65% to 45% and increase to 55% sustainable transport by way of walking, cycling and public transport. I would like to hear how the Minister plans to implement them. Specifically, in the national cycling framework, there was a commitment and a recommendation in terms of a na- tional cycling officer and the achievement of that target of 10% of journeys. I recognise the Minister has taken one positive initiative in terms of cycle education in schools but research from the CSO shows that only 8% of boys are cycling to school and only 1% of girls There is a key issue around safety and inclusion in terms of cycling strategy and education alone cannot be the answer. We need to look to meaningful and appropriate infra- structure In countries where the infrastructure is place, the evidence shows more inclusive participation, a greater gender balance in cycling and older and younger people participating I would like the Minister to indicate how he plans to address and put in place infrastructural spend to support cycling In pushing forward this cycling strategy, how is the Minister engaging with other Depart- ments, for example, the Department of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, which is leading in the area of climate change and is looking to how sustainable transport is going to play a key role? Some 25% of global emission of car- bon dioxide comes from motorised vehicles Clearly, transport has to be at the centre of our climate change and sustainability strategy and our health strategy Information from the UK, for example, shows that the NHS has indicated that £17 billion could be saved by an increase in cycling I would be very grateful if the Minister could address those issues 21/02/2017C00100Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross) (Deputy Shane Ross): I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to address this question which was not ad- dressed completely last week. I apologise for that but it is difficult to address all the questions in the Chamber If I do not address all the questions or have precise answers today, the Senator is welcome to send them on to me and I will address them I am sympathetic with what the Senator said, particularly when only 8% of young boys and only 1% of young girls cycle to school. That is a stark figure and not satisfactory. The cycling community is vocal about what it feels and is powerful It is a strong lobby group which
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