Ireland
UK
Scotland
London
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State Seán Canney have today launched two major strategic frameworks designed to future-proof Ireland's transport network.
The 'Moving Together' strategy and the Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) Action Plan 2026-2030 establish a multi-layered approach to improving daily travel, reducing congestion, and tackling transport-related air pollution.
The SMP Action Plan 2026-2030 serves as the second iteration of the national policy originally published in 2022. It contains 95 specific actions to be implemented over the next five years, including significant investments in active travel, public transport, and shared mobility. Key projects highlighted in the plan include MetroLink, BusConnects, DART+, and the Cork Commuter Rail, alongside the development of bike libraries and park-and-ride facilities.
Complementing this, the 'Moving Together' strategy focuses on cross-government collaboration to resolve systemic issues like urban congestion. The strategy aims to make public transport more reliable and roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists by improving overall network efficiency. It works in tandem with the government's decarbonisation goals, following an 'Avoid-Shift-Improve' model that also includes the recent launch of a public consultation on the National EV Infrastructure Charging Strategy.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, said: "The Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan supports the delivery of over 40 transport-related commitments in the Programme for Government. This includes major public transport projects such as MetroLink, BusConnects, DART+, and Cork Commuter Rail, as well as ongoing investment in active travel infrastructure and the Safe Routes to School programme, the development of Park and Ride facilities, measures to increase taxi provision and investment in improving transport accessibility. By investing in new and innovative transport solutions like shared mobility, Bike Libraries and Smart Demand Responsive Transport, the Plan reflects the Government's commitment to transforming Ireland's transport system. Aligned to the SMP Action Plan, the Moving Together strategy allows for a systematic review of that system, working across Government and society to explore and champion further ways of addressing the problem of congestion and its negative impacts such as air pollution, environmental damage and economic constraints. People need to travel for many reasons - work, education, health, leisure – and the Government recognises that sustainable options are not always available, especially in more rural or remote areas. Our transport network must also be efficient to support the transportation of goods. Equally, our urban centres and streets must meet the needs of business and retail, must ensure that urban residents are protected from the impacts of congestion and pollution and must be fully accessible to vulnerable road users and the disabled community. Finding solutions that work for all is important, and this new Strategy seeks to do this in a balanced way, by 'moving together' on key issues and future proofing our system for generations to come."
Minister of State Seán Canney highlighted the regional and rural benefits of the combined plans, noting the progress of the Western Rail Corridor and the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
Minister of State Seán Canney said: "The Moving Together strategy and the new SMP Action Plan, combined, take a comprehensive and practical approach to addressing the challenges that many people face in accessing sustainable transport, particularly those in rural areas. The Action Plan incorporates concrete actions to improve sustainable mobility options and regional connectivity across the country, through the completion of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, the provision of more town bus services and increased walking and cycling routes connecting towns and villages. In addition, I'm delighted that BusConnects Galway will be progressed, alongside the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris and the completion of station upgrades in Ceannt Station and Oranmore."
The delivery of these actions will be overseen by the Sustainable Mobility Policy Leadership Group, with progress reports to be issued on an annual basis.
