Transport debate request
Senator Rabbitte asked that the Minister for Transport attend the House for statements on transport policy, roads funding and national roads administration.
I would like to request that the Minister for Transport come before the House so we could have statements on transport matters. I totally agree with what Senator Collins has said. I also agree completely with what Senator Kennelly raised in his Commencement matter this morning. We all understand that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in respect of the national roads programme. Once the funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with the national development plan, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities. I really want to see that Act reviewed because there is a complete disconnect between what is happening in the local authorities and TII. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has three functions. One is in relation to the operation network. Then it has the capital programme and the professional safety network. I am no different from any other Senator here. The N65 runs right through the town where I live. There is no traffic calming. There is one pedestrian crossing. The N65 goes on forever when you come into Portumna, but on the outskirts of it we have a village, a little place called Woodpark, that does not have lights or a footpath. It is in the environs of Portumna. I have no doubt everybody else experiences what I am talking about. At the same time, TII is totally oblivious and unaware of the health and safety needs and the need for safety measures there. I want a discussion on it. I want us to review the Act. It is part of our function as legislators to ensure that we can look at road Acts to ensure they can be addressed to meet the growing needs and safety of our young population. If we want to encourage people to be active, to cycle and walk to school, we have to put the tools in place and we need to have a real discussion about the active travel programme.