Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has said that alternatives will be tried and tested before congestion charges are even considered.

The Minister was speaking yesterday as he launched a public consultation document on sustainable transport and travel.

The document - which sets out a vision for a sustainable transport future for Ireland - includes ideas on alternative or smarter ways of travelling such as walking, cycling and increased use of public transport.

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The 12-year vision deals not only with congestion charges but also with carbon and fuel taxes, workplace parking levies and biofuels.

The Minister urged the public to get involved in this public consultation to help shape the measures that will be included in a sustainable transport action plan later this year.

"Today the Government is investing heavily in public transport and in building physical infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing economy. Despite this investment, if we continue our current travel patterns traffic congestion will increase and quality of life and the quality of our environment will decline.

"We can't allow that to happen. We must all act now to change our travel behaviour. I look forward to a full discussion on all of the issues involved before I set out a detailed action plan later this year," he said.

The public consultation remains open for six weeks.

(VB/JM)