Introduction

As CEO I am very honoured to be leading the organisation to deliver the mission and vision of the NTA, working with all partners involved in delivering infrastructure and services that connects people to opportunity and enables businesses to thrive and invest.

It is very clear that an effective and efficient transport system is crucial for economic, environmental, and social well-being. It enhances accessibility to jobs, services, and social opportunities, particularly for those with limited access to private vehicles. In addition to extending the availability of public transport services, the NTA is committed to improving the quality of the services in the coming years so as to make them more attractive to an expanded user base. The NTA intends to oversee improvements in areas including reliability, punctuality and the integration of services, while also reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution.

As an organisation, we are determined to make further progress with regards to improving the accessibility of transport infrastructure and services. This means embedding universal design principles, removing existing physical, sensory, and digital barriers, and continuously improving facilities to meet the diverse needs of users. We commit to work with disability advocacy groups and other stakeholders, invest in staff training and inclusive technologies, and ensure that sustainable transport options are also equitable, safe, and welcoming for people of all ages and abilities.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do as an organisation. As we deliver on our mandate, we are continuously trying to ensure that we maintain a balanced emphasis on society, the environment and the economy. We will strive to continue enhancing Ireland’s sustainable transport infrastructure and services, while minimising the related environmental impact.

The NTA continues to play a central role in advancing the Department of Transport’s National Sustainable Mobility Policy, which sets out a framework for walking, cycling and public transport. The policy calls for high levels of collaboration across Government Departments, agencies and the private sector. The NTA looks forward to delivering on the policy’s phase two action plan for the period 2026-2030.

Encouraging active travel is a key focus for the NTA, with investment of approximately €1 million per day in projects supporting strategic pedestrian and cyclist routes, including access to schools, permeability links and urban greenways. The provision of high-quality walking and cycling facilities will encourage more people to switch to active travel, helping to improve health outcomes and tackle climate change.

Ireland has set out a national vision of transitioning to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy by 2050. By 2030, the Irish transport sector is tasked with halving its carbon emissions, dropping from approx. 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2eq) to 6 MtCO2eq; transitioning to a greater proportion of people using sustainable modes of transport will be crucial in achieving this 2030 target.

The NTA will continue to progress the many ongoing initiatives aimed at achieving the Department of Transport’s goal for walking, cycling, and public transport to account for 50% of all journeys by 2030. Carbon emissions will be reduced across public transport through the electrification of the public transport fleet and other initiatives, while progress on the reduction of emissions will be actively managed in conjunction with stakeholders across the sector. Conscious that the negative impacts of climate change are already being experienced, the NTA will also implement measures to make sustainable transport more climate resilient.

As one of our statutory functions, the NTA is very keen to contribute to the effective management of transport demand. Rather than simply trying to provide transport to meet the predicted demand, we will be proactive in seeking ways to reduce the need to travel by mechanised modes, through using a range of instruments. For example, we believe that many enhancements can be made in how we organise our urban realm so as to reduce the need to travel, particularly by car. We strongly support the implementation of a transport demand management scheme for the GDA and if implemented, we are confident that it will bring many benefits to the people of the region.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fast-developing area of technology including machine learning, deep learning and neural networks, which encompasses areas like automation, robotics and chatbots. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) enables the creation of content – such as text, images, code, and audio – that closely resembles human output. In 2025, the NTA began actively exploring the potential of GenAI to enhance productivity, improve service delivery, and support innovation across its operations. As we continue to examine the various ways GenAI can be adopted, we will be guided by a focus on responsible use, data protection and ethical considerations, as well as managing opportunities and risks in line with the values and public service mission of the NTA.

I would like to thank all our stakeholders and staff who have continued to deliver sustainable transport infrastructure and services, and whose contribution to the development of this strategy document has also been greatly appreciated. The NTA has grown very significantly over the last few years and it’s important that we retain our values and culture of inclusivity and diversity, as we develop the organisation further to meet our growing mandate and deliver connectivity for the people and places of Ireland.

I look forward to working with the Board and my colleagues on implementing the strategic objectives set out in this Statement of Strategy.

Anne Shaw

Chief Executive Officer