Dempsey to set transport example

THE new Minister for Transport, who hasn’t travelled aboard a Dublin Bus in years, is primed to set an example to his cabinet colleagues with cycling, walking and public transport excursions.

Having transferred to the Department of Transport in June, Noel Dempsey has been examining the possibility of walking, cycling or taking buses and trains for short journeys, a spokeswoman said yesterday.

However, he is unlikely to abandon the state car for the daily journey from his home in Trim, Co Meath.

With the launch of the One Step Campaign yesterday encouraging members of the public to use alternative transport for one trip a week, the minister will be hoping that other party colleagues seize the initiative.

Currently, Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews, who cycles, and Charlie O’Connor, who travels by Luas, are in the minority when it comes to embracing environmentally-friendly transport.

Green Party ministers Eamon Ryan and John Gormley have vowed to cycle, walk or use public transport where possible, and only to use state cars on lengthy journeys or on tight schedules. On taking office, they asked for their ministerial cars to be changed to low-emission Toyota Prius vehicles, despite the rest of the cabinet continuing to favour traditional Mercedes saloons or Lexus hybrids.

Fine Gael transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell is a committed Luas commuter, while environment spokesman Fergus O’Dowd regularly travels by train from Drogheda.