Ireland to participate in European Car Free Day 2004 8/06/04

Local Authorities meet in Portlaoise to discuss plans

Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to European Car Free Day by agreeing to take part  in the initiative again in 2004. The announcement was made as Local Authorities met in Portlaoise to discuss plans for this year.  The date for Car Free Day is fixed Europe-wide for the 22nd September annually, which this year falls on a Wednesday. The initiative will take place simultaneously throughout all participating European countries.

The planning meeting was hosted by Sustainable Energy Ireland, who alongside the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Transport, supported participating Local Authorities last year. Among the things addressed at the meeting were outline themes for Car Free Day 2004, and funding options available to Local Authorities interested in participating.

Last year, over 1500 cities across Europe and beyond participated in the event, including 17 towns and cities in Ireland. The Irish cities and towns which took part were: Athlone, Balbriggan, Clonakilty, Dublin, Galway, Greystones, Tralee, Listowel, Killarney, Kilkenny, Limerick City, Limerick County, Monaghan, Sligo, Waterford, Westport and Wicklow.

Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, DART and the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) also supported the initiative in 2003.

Speaking at the meeting in the Portlaoise, Tom Halpin, Sustainable Energy Ireland said, “Car Free Day is about stimulating debate on urban transport options - viable options that allow us to go about our every day lives in ease. We all recognise that excessive dependence on cars in cities and towns brings many disadvantages to all. If, through Car Free Day, we can plant a seed in the minds of people that there are alternatives to the motor car that address at least some of our needs, we will have achieved something positive”.
“We are extremely encouraged by the number of Local Authorities who attended the meeting in Portlaoise to learn more about plans for this year. I would encourage as many Irish towns and cities as possible to participate this year”.

Applications for funding assistance for Local Authorities wishing to participate in Car Free Day 2004 will be received by Sustainable Energy Ireland on or before June 11th, 2004.

Sustainable Energy Ireland was established on May 1st, 2002 as a statutory authority charged with promoting and assisting the development of sustainable energy and is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 with programmes part financed by the European Union.

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For further information please contact:
Diarmuid O’Neill
Edelman Public Relations
01-6789333 / 087-6699933