Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I will focus my questions on the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Transport, Tourism and Sport. Can Ms Hanlon outline progress on the rural transport strategy referred to in the climate action plan and what it will cover? I am familiar with the Local Link transport system, particularly the scheme in counties Offaly and Laois. It is an excellent system. There was good take-up of the additional routes provided under the pilot scheme. It is about getting the word out about it. What else is the Department considering in regard to rural transport?

There was reference to the cycling project office and the park-and-ride office. What is the timeline for getting that up and running?

Cloughjordan railway station is near where I live. In fact, that part of north Tipperary is in my electoral area. Every now and again, there appears to be a crisis due to a rumour that it will be closed. It is very important in that area not only for the village but also for the eco-village there, which is leading the way in showing us how to live in a low impact way. How is that to be managed? We do not want any more negative views on what is happening there in terms of potentially closing it.

With regard to electric buses, has the evaluation been completed on how quickly we can transition to them? How will electric buses be funded?

I wondered about the renewable energy directive that was mentioned in the presentation of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and why we do not aim for the more ambitious Paris Agreement targets. Mr. Brady mentioned the biofuels obligations scheme and E10 fuel, and outlined his concerns about older cars. I am on the road a great deal, however, and do not see many old cars any more. What does "old" mean and what problems does Mr. Brady see in such cars?

The target for biofuels in petrol is 10% by 2030. That is a long way away, however, and surely we could do better than that. Will our guests comment on that?

To return to the biofuels obligation scheme, Mr. Brady noted that it is for the transport sector but we also have a difficult transition to make in our heating sector. Will heating be considered as part of the scheme? I have a vested interest given that a company in my area, Grant Engineering, produces efficient oil boilers. When we consider a just transition, we must also think about a just transition for such companies. Will the Department consider a combination of some kind of bio-blends under that scheme to help them transition?