The “sight of so many cars” in Leinster House “sends entirely the wrong message” to the public
Labour leader Ivana Bacik has called on more politicians to cycle to work as the “sight of so many cars” in Leinster House “sends entirely the wrong message” to the public. In an email to Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, seen by the Irish Mirror, the TD said that the Oireachtas should “set an example” to the rest of the public.
The Labour leader has become so synonymous with cycling that her posters for the Dublin Bay South by-election in 2021 contained a cartoon of her on a bike.There have been ongoing debates about whether or not the car parks at both the front and back of Leinster House should be removed or renovated to create a more open and public space. However, Ms Bacik’s proposal has not gone down well with rural politicians, with Michael Healy-Rae suggesting that Tour-de-France winner Stephen Roche would not be able to cycle some of the distances TDs would have to travel. Ms Bacik wrote to Mr Seán Ó Fearghaíl earlier this week about “environmentally sustainable practices around the Leinster House complex”. She said that the current provisions for cyclists in Leinster House are “inadequate”, arguing that the bike racks are “not fit for purpose”. She argued cars are more visible than bikes. Ms Bacik wrote: “At a time when the Government is encouraging members of the public to adopt active travel modes of commuting, the ongoing view of such inadequate bicycle parking provision, compared to the sight of so many cars being parked at both the front and back of Leinster House, including on the grass on the Merrion side of the complex, sends entirely the wrong message.Ms Bacik also called for more electric vehicle charging stations to be installed, noting that four in the back car park of Leinster House are nearly always in use. She also raised concerns about the lack of disabled car parking spaces. However, the Labour leader is not proposing getting rid of the car park, as suggested by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan last year. The idea has not gone down well with rural politicians, with Kerry’s Michael Healy-Rae saying that as driving takes him four hours to drive, cycling would take him “about 25”. He said: “Has she anything better to be doing with her time? If an elected representative is watching how many cars are in the car park, she doesn’t have much to worry about. “Is she saying Michael Collins should cycle a bicycle up from West Cork? If he was Stephen Roche he wouldn’t be able to cycle it.” Fianna Fáil’s transport spokesman James O’Connor told the Irish Mirror that while people would ideally take public transport, it is not always possible.“TDs and Senators who live very long distances from Dublin don’t always have the luxury of using sustainable transport.READ NEXT :
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