Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests. I will direct my first question to Dr. Caulfield on the issue of transport disadvantage. I have heard him speak on that topic previously. Are there examples of how that might be addressed? How can incentives be tailored and targeted to those areas? He has suggested that many who are availing of the supports to switch to EVs have other transport options. Are there international examples of how to use supports or subsidies to tackle transport disadvantage?

I also wish to discuss the dependency on cars and transport methods other than public transport. Is there a case to be made for incentives for commercial vehicles? People who use commercial vehicles need them and are unable to move their tools onto public transport. Is there an argument for greater support for commercial vehicles?

My next question is for Mr. Cazzola. We have a car tax system based on emissions. He mentioned that consideration is being given to, and discussions are taking place on, a distance-based charge. Could he give an update in that regard? I presume many countries are facing a challenge to move away from an emissions-based tax system. I note the ITF's report on delivery vehicles. That is an issue that comes up regularly. People are reluctant to move away from private cars because they think about the need for weekly shopping or the need for additional space.

I have a question for Dr. Daly on school transport. She identified it as an issue, and I know it to be an issue. Does she think that there is sufficient scale of ambition on the part of the Government and Bus Éireann? They want to get a 20% increase between now and 2030. There was an additional 1% increase this year. This might not be an increase at all. It might just be a recategorisation. What encouragement or advice would she give to the Government regarding opportunities to expand the school transport system, in addition to getting people out of the car and onto bicycles and walking?

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