Funding for cycle lanes and paths is being made available for villages and towns across the Shannonside Northern Sound region

The leader of the Green Party says funding announced for cycle lanes and paths will bring life back to town centres and villages in the Shannonside Northern Sound region.

50 million euro is being made available for county councils across the country, including in the Shannonside Northern Sound region, to fund cycling routes.

Eamon Ryan says the government is going to commit 20% of the national transport budget over the next four years to "active travel" such as walking and cycling.

While Minister Ryan said the funding won't "transform" a town, he told Shannonside Northern Sound that the funding commitment will allow local authorities to plan for the future: