Now in its 16th year, Transport Ireland has firmly established itself as the annual conference event for the transport sector in Ireland. Scheduled to take place on 27 June 2023 in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, the conference will bring together senior stakeholders from across Ireland, north and south, to focus on the important challenges and opportunities facing the sector as it seeks to transform the transport system for Ireland’s net zero future.
Transport abatement targets for 2030 hinge on accelerated and transformational change. While providing the greatest share of emissions abatement in the medium term, electrification of and fuel efficiency improvements in private vehicles will not deliver emissions reductions at the scale or pace required. Rather, behavioural change, defined by modal shifts towards active travel and public transport, and journey reductions will be essential to transitioning away from a car dependent transport system.
In 2022, two fundamental analyses of the Irish transport system were completed: firstly, Redesigning Ireland’s Transport for Net Zero was published by the OECD, and, secondly, refreshed transport decarbonisation pathway modelling was undertaken by the NTA and the Department of Transport. Identifying the existing transport system as one which embeds car dependency by design, the OECD made four recommendations:. In response to the OECD findings, the transport element of Climate Action Plan 2023 has recalibrated the decarbonisation pathway for transport to close the significant ‘gap’ in relation CAP21 targets and the delivery of 50 per cent emissions abatement by 2030. In response, the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework for transport sustainability has been utilised to categorise all transport abatement actions in Climate Action Plan 2023, with particular emphasis on spatial and land-use planning in the design of a transport system for net zero. Avoid: Avoid/reduce the need for travel through land-use planning. Shift: Shift to more environmentally friendly modes of transport. Improve: Improve energy efficiency of vehicle technology, including through electrification and clean fuels. However, several challenges continue to inhibit the delivery of transport abatement ambitions, including national travel preferences favouring private car usage; low density development; significant lead in times for major transport infrastructure projects; public acceptance; and governance and oversight across all relevant bodies implementing transport decarbonisation.
In this context, the 2023 Transport Ireland conference will host a variety of expert domestic and international speakers who will comprehensively explore the latest ambitions, challenges, and tangible opportunities for leaders and practitioners in Ireland’s transport sector.
Key issues to be examined by an expert panel of speakers include:
The Transport Ireland® conference will be of interest to all those involved in the management or development of Ireland’s transport system, north and south, including roads, public transport, and active travel infrastructure. It will also be of interest to those dependent on Ireland’s haulage and heavy goods road freight sector. The conference will have direct appeal to:
Delegates attending the conference will:
0830 | Registration and morning coffee |
0900 | Chairperson’s welcome and introduction: Elaine Brick, Regional Director AECOM |
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS | Ministerial address: Delivering a transport system for Ireland's net zero future Eamon Ryan, TD Minister for Transport |
Delivering on transport investment for Ireland’s sustainable future Anne Graham, Chief Executive National Transport Authority | |
Global and local reflections on the status of ESG in transport Derval Cummins, Director and European Advisory Leader, Transportation Consulting AECOM |
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How to kick-start the hydrogen mobility market Jackie Keaney, Commercial Director Indaver Ireland |
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Senior Representative French Embassy in Ireland |
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Questions & answers / Panel discussion | |
1100 | Networking break |
1130 | TRANSPORT LEADERS’ DISCUSSION: REDESIGNING IRELAND’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR NET ZERO |
Redesigning Ireland’s transport system for net zero Aimée Aguilar Jaber, Mitigation Team Leader, Environment Directorate, OECD |
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PANEL DISCUSSION: Aimée Aguilar Jaber, Mitigation Team Leader, Environment Directorate, OECD Billy Hann, Chief Executive, Dublin Bus Jim Meade, Chief Executive, Iarnród Éireann Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive, Translink Paddy Comyn, Head of Communications, AA Ireland Stephen Kent, CEO, Bus Éireann |
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Questions & answers / Panel discussion | |
1300 | Networking Lunch |
1400 | AVOID, SHIFT, AND IMPROVE: DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY |
How technology can make public transport more sustainable Mark Rocky, Business Development Director – Europe Indra |
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Community-based sustainable mobility for rural Ireland Deirdre de Bhailís, General Manager Dingle Hub |
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Accelerating local authority delivery of active travel infrastructure Mick Mulhern, Director Planning and Transport, South Dublin County Council |
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Making Ireland’s public transport safer and easier to use David O'Connor, Head of Environment and Planning TU Dublin |
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1530 | COMFORT BREAK |
1545 | DISCUSSION PANEL: DELIVERING MAJOR TRANSPORT PROJECTS |
Delivering the 3FM Project and futureproofing Dublin Port Cormac Kennedy, Head of Property Dublin Port Company |
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Peter Walsh, CEO, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Freda Quinlan, Head of Capital Programme Office, National Transport Authority Mick Mulhern, Director Planning and Transport, South Dublin County Council Cormac Kennedy, Head of Property Dublin Port Company |
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1645 | Chairperson’s summary and conference close |
There are a limited number of opportunities for interested organisations to become involved with this conference as sponsors or exhibitors. This is an excellent way for organisations to raise their profile with a key audience of senior decision-makers from across Ireland’s transport sector. For more information on packages available contact Ciarán Galway on 01 661 3755 or email ciaran.galway@eolasmagazine.ie.