Just two hours ago, along with fellow Oireachtas Members, a large number of us took to the streets on our bicycles to mark National Bike Week. I thank all those Oireachtas Members who took part, along with Oireachtas staff and cyclist.ie. Bicycles are the transport of the future. They are good for the planet, good for cities and towns and good for our health. Right now, far too many people in Ireland are reluctant to cycle. They feel it is not safe to do so. There is too little provision for cycling and too little commitment to ensure more safety of cyclists. While I welcome increased provision of cycle routes and active transport infrastructure, it is still unsafe to cycle in many parts of the country.

We need to see a transport revolution with cycling, pedestrians and wheelchair users put to the fore and prioritised and where we see a commitment to reducing reliance on private car transport and to scaling up public transport along with cycling and active travel infrastructure. Will the Minister and the Government commit to scaling up investment in cycling provision and ensuring that Ireland becomes a safer country to cycle in?

I thank the Deputy. There has been unprecedented investment in recent years in active travel. The Department of Rural and Community Development is assisting by providing better facilities through our outdoor recreation fund. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, is committed to increasing the number of people who can safely use bicycles. The Deputy is correct that, especially in rural areas there are no bicycle lanes, as in my part of the country, and it can be quite dangerous. The Government is committed to expanding the availability of cycleways throughout the country.