Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand that the SEAI does not set the policy, but I ask that it keep this matter under review. Obviously, it makes recommendations to Government. I am of the view that the information needs to go back to the Government.

I do not expect Mr. Walsh to have the answer for this next question but could he furnish it to the committee later. The number of charging points is outlined in the figures we received about a month ago from the Department. Can Mr. Walsh provide information on the increase in the number of points planned across the country? If we are going to get people down the country into electric cars, there are only 18 points across the midland counties. In that context, it should be remembered that the distance from Carlow to Shannon Harbour is 90 miles. If someone parks at Portlaoise railway station in the morning, plugs in their vehicle and goes off on the train, that charging point is taken up for the entire day. Can Mr. Walsh come back to us with information on what is likely to happen this year and on the plans are there to increase the number of points, perhaps by way of a table? I do not expect him to provide that information now.