Environment and Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, will bring a memo to Cabinet tomorrow (7 March, 2023) detailing how to and when to achieve climate measures.
Measures to end road congestion
The memo - an extension to the Government's Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) - lays out measures and policies so that the country can end road congestion and change how we use road space. These measures are likely to include reducing parking space, increased parking charges, a congestion charge, higher fuel costs and cheaper public transport.
The suite of strategies prioritises providing public transport and active travel (walking, cycling, wheeling and using non-motorised scooters). It aims to give people viable alternatives to using private vehicles.
A push to other modes of transport
In response, The Automobile Association (Ireland) today called upon the Government to evaluate alternative measures before introducing further penalties to already stretched motorists.
Paddy Comyn, Head of Communications for AA Ireland, said: "We know that there must be a push to other modes of transport in order to meet climate targets. Many people will say there is no public transport solution available to them, or that the frequency isn't there, so why not trial a well-signalled free public transport period, be it a week or a month, in order to thoroughly test the impact of moving en masse to alternative modes. This will allow us to test capacity and a genuine appetite for alternative modes of transport. If public transportation is offered for free, but the uptake remains poor, then more punitive measures could be considered."
A government-backed opportunity
For the trial to be effective, AA Ireland says it needs to be announced well in advance and have the full backing of employers who may need to allow employees who opt to use public transport extra time for their commute. Furthermore, for the trial to work, it needs to accurately measure the differences in air quality and the ability of busier routes to cope with demand. Moreover, the test should occur during a busy time of year, such as September, when traffic volumes are most significant.
Mr Comyn added: "The announcement of further punitive measures is going to spook already stretched Irish citizens. If we want to really test the alternatives, then make them free for a trial period. Cycling and walking are already free but clearly don't work for everyone; let's give Irish people a government-backed opportunity to trial alternatives. If it's successful, then there can be greater incentives to use them, if it isn't then - and only then - should further punitive measures be used."