Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin

Transport Ireland 2023

A transport system for Ireland's net zero future

Irish Rail
eolas Magazine

A transport system for Ireland's net zero future

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:.

  • 1. reorientating the goal of Ireland’s transport system as sustainable accessibility;
  • 2. prioritising the scaling of transformative policies;
  • 3. redefining the electrification strategy to support the transition towards a sustainable transport system; and
  • 4. embracing a systemic approach to policy decision-making across government departments.

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:
  • Transport policy and legislative priorities
  • Towards a National Demand Management Strategy
  • Creating an Irish transport system that works for people and the planet
  • Delivering a transport sector fit for a clean, digital, and modern European economy
  • Road space allocation: Radically rethinking how we use public streets
  • Transport leaders’ discussion
  • Redesigning Ireland’s Transport for Net Zero
  • Recalibrating the decarbonisation pathway for transport
  • Making Ireland’s public transport safer and easier to use
  • Delivering major transport projects
  • Accelerating active travel uptake in Ireland
  • Enhancing rural transport
  • Futureproofing Ireland’s critical transport infrastructure
  • Mobility trends of the future
  • Intelligent transport and transforming mobility
  • Safe, inclusive, and accessible public transport
  • Behavioural change and engaging the citizen
  • Meeting the 2030 transport emissions abatement targets
  • Responding to Irish transport emissions trends
Who should attend

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:


  • Transport policy-makers (government departments / agencies)
  • Local government – officers and elected representatives
  • Strategic infrastructure planners
  • Freight and logistics operators
  • Planning specialists
  • Construction / civil engineering firms
  • Project consultants / specialists
  • Public transport / port and airport operators
  • NGOs
  • Finance / investment and legal community
  • Academics / researchers
Benefits of attending

Delegates attending the conference will:

  • Hear latest government policy for transport
  • Consider infrastructure investment priorities
  • Hear from high profile visiting speakers
  • Explore sustainability in transport
  • Look to the future of mobility

Speakers

2023 Programme

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
How to kick-start the hydrogen mobility market
Jackie Keaney, Commercial Director
Indaver Ireland


Senior Representative
French Embassy in Ireland
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
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
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
Community-based sustainable mobility for rural Ireland
Deirdre de Bhailís, General Manager
Dingle Hub
Accelerating local authority delivery of active travel infrastructure
Mick Mulhern, Director Planning and Transport,
South Dublin County Council 
Making Ireland’s public transport safer and easier to use
David O'Connor, Head of Environment and Planning
TU Dublin
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 
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 
1645 Chairperson’s summary and conference close

Sponsorship & Exhibition

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.

Pricing & Registration



Delegate rate
€325 + VAT @ 23% = €399.75

Register now