Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The office is going to help to raise awareness among people who want to change their vehicle at a certain point, giving them information on the grants available to help with the transition to electric. An Post was the first mover in the public sector space in the transition to low-emission vehicles. It is also important to say that in the public transport realm we are investing in low-emission buses. Athlone will be the first town in the country that will have zero-emission buses. We have purchased over 280 buses this year, 185 of which are double-decker, hybrid electric vehicles for use in urban areas. There will also be a rolling out of fully electric, single-decker buses in Athlone.

This is not just about public transport; it is also the private sector.

I take the Deputy's point about how important this is. If one looks at reducing emissions, the private car is one of the greatest ways to reduce our emissions here in the country and that office will be key to that.