The need for investment in rural transport has been included in a newly launched report on how Ireland can transition to a low carbon economy.
A cross-party climate action report by the Oireachtas Committee has identified a need for a new rural transport strategy by 2030.
Accessible, low emissions transport is a priority of Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle, who contributed to the report.
He said: “My main priority throughout my work on the Committee the past 8 months was for the radical expansion of rural transport for Donegal as part of climate action measures and I successfully campaigned for its inclusion in the Report.
“I spoke strongly of the need for rural proofing in the transition to a low carbon economy and highlighted the fact that climate solutions will have to be different for people in Donegal than they are for people living in Dublin.
“It’s vital that the transition to a low carbon economy reflects the realities of life in rural Ireland and takes into account the fact that Donegal has experienced chronic underinvestment of transport infrastructure by governments past and present leading to an over-reliance on cars.”
The Climate Action Report states that the Department of Transport should undertake a review of policy to expand the rural transport programme to provide integrated public transport and shared mobility solutions for all rural areas.
Pringle says this new strategy would have wide-reaching benefits:
“A radical overhall of our rural public transport system will not only benefit our citizens including people with disabilities, the elderly and those physically isolated from communities, but will also help revitalise our rural towns and villages.
“Accessible, low emissions transport will help develop rural economies by sustaining local small businesses as well as creating new jobs through expanded tourism and greater interconnectivity between towns.”
Pringle TD is now calling on the government to put the Cross-Party Consensus for Action into practice.
“Ultimately if climate action is done right and it prioritises the disadvantaged and most vulnerable not only will it succeed in the protection of our environment but in the revitalisation of rural life in towns and villages across Donegal and rural Ireland. I would urge Fine Gael to act on foot of this Report and deliver for our environment and that of rural Ireland” concluded Pringle.
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