Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My first question is to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. I was recently contacted by a man who had purchased an electric vehicle. As I understand it, the standard is not the same for all models. Perhaps the officials would educate me on that point. This man had to go to a particular station which had a Tesla charging point. The Applegreen stations have their own brand chargers. This appears to be similar to the iPhone and the Android phone situation, which is extremely frustrating. It is confusing and it leads to people being less confident about being able to find a charging point when they need one. Also, the access card does not always work and people have to contact the ESB, often having to wait 15 minutes for a response, to have it reboot the charging point. I know these are teething problems, that it takes time for the negatives and positives to become known and that we will get there eventually but in the meantime the aforementioned issues need to be addressed.

On electric vehicle home charging units, I note these can be purchased for €350 to €400 but according to recent reports, electricians and builders are cashing in on this area and asking for €3,000 for home installation. There is no way retrofit or new build installation to a single electricity socket would cost that much. How does the Department propose to regulate this exploitation? On transport, has an analysis been undertaken of the viability of inland waterways for freight transport? This would be a return a previous mode of transport but with a twist. Has the feasibility of reintroducing this mode of transport been examined? The Shannon Foynes waterway in particular would have the capacity and infrastructure to enable it.

On tourism, I welcome the plan and the €8.6 billion for extension of the rail network and additional capacity on it. It was mentioned in the opening statement that investment in public transport and active travel over the coming years not only equals but well exceeds what will be invested in new roads. Would it be bold and brave to take the decision not to invest in new roads and instead protect and maintain current infrastructure? Is that feasible? As we all know, congestion, regardless of emissions, be they diesel, petrol or other fumes, is blocking ease of transport and commerce. The ethanol increase to 10% is not ambitious enough in light of the fact that Sweden has moved to 85% and Brazil to 100%. I accept that there are problems with older cars but their number will dwindle fairly quickly.

On the park-and-ride facilities, I live in the shadow of the national children's hospital construction site. When the hospital is completed in 2023, there will be 4,000 staff on that campus. Current staff and construction workers on the site have been told to use the park-and-ride facility at the Red Cow and the Luas, which they do not adhere to. However, this park-and-ride facility is already operating in excess of capacity. What is the proposed location of the new park-and-ride facility? Will the site for it be bought under compulsory purchase order and, if so, what is the estimated cost and how long will that process take?

My final question is on the aviation fuel tax. I understand the current exemption is to cease in the future but the wheels are turning slowly in making that happen because it is weighted against profit-making and passengers taking on the burden of the tax, which will cause an uproar as well. Perhaps, people will travel less even though they love their sun holidays. How do the witnesses foresee that happening? I note that the new European Commission only commenced in December.

The wheels turn slowly. Aviation is massive. I am very aware when I go to the airport of the smell of the fuel that lingers in my lungs. It is a public health issue, never mind the extra burden of tax and what it does to our environment and our own people in the public health area. I thank the witnesses.