WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2745/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Cycling facilities in Dublin
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: EU aid, Ireland, cycle track, operational programme, project evaluation, transport infrastructure

C 117/58

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

(98/C 117/71)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2745/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Cycling facilities in Dublin

Almost no cycle lanes have been developed in Dublin(cid:146)s inner city over the past five years.

It is beyond question that Dublin is far behind many other EU capitals in providing for cyclists. Munich, for
example, has 650 km of cycle lanes, whereas Dublin has less than 20 km.

Under the Operational Programme for Ireland, the EU has agreed to co-finance various measures to improve
Ireland(cid:146)s transport infrastructure, including the development of cycle lanes.

Has it made any representations to the Irish authorities about the virtual absence of improvements in cycle lanes
in Dublin(cid:146)s inner city? If so can it give details of any such representations and/or of any it proposes to make?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1997)

Provision has been made for cycle facilities in Dublin’s inner city as part of several schemes co-financed under
the operational programme for transport (1994-1999). This has been done as part of Talbot street environmental
traffic scheme, Malahide road to Amiens street cycle route and Quality bus corridor (QBC), as well as City quays
(QBC) scheme, which includes cycle parking. Further additions to the cycle facilities along the city quays are
expected in the coming months.

Construction of a cycle way along the Finglas road between Glasnevin and Finglas village, and of the Ashtown
roundabout to North circular road section of the Blanchardstown cycle route, will commence in coming weeks.
Further linking of both routes to the city centre will follow in the near future. It is anticipated that construction of
a cycle lane along the Grand canal, linking Portobello college with Clanbrassil street, will commence in 1997. In
addition, cycle track provision at several locations alongside the proposed light rail transit system (LUAS) line is
being actively supported. Discussions are also ongoing to incorporate additional facilities at or near the LUAS
stations.

While  many  of  the  cycle  facilities  have  not  yet  appeared  on  the  ground,  much  of  the  necessary  background
studies,  public  consultation  and  detailed  design  has  been  undertaken  and  it  is  expected  that  significant  cycle
facilities will be constructed in Dublin’s inner city over the rest of the current programming period.

(98/C 117/72)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2753/97

by Michl Ebner (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Distribution of German-language films in South Tyrol

Bearing in mind that minorities need special protection, that their culture (including films in their mother tongue)
should receive special promotion but that these are disadvantaged by the fact that film rights are distributed on a
national basis, and that free competition across national frontiers is a basic principle of the single market, would
the Commission explain why Austrian and German film distributors cannot expect to distribute films to South
Tyrol without legal difficulties?