Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I asked a question when I was in Waterford last week and found the reply interesting. We were in the motor mechanics section of the apprenticeships and it was all diesel engines. I asked where were the new electric cars we are all talking about. This probably comes in for QQI and warrants an arranged debate. They found it difficult because each maker does not want to let the others know how it is getting on. Nissan does not want to let BMW know, BMW does not want to let Mercedes know and so on. This will be a huge challenge because the Government has a commitment for a certain number of electric cars by 2030 but I am not aware of any apprenticeship specifically on electric car mechanics. The witnesses might be able to correct me on this but I believe any training done is done internally in the makers’ garages, be it Peugeot, BMW, Toyota, Audi or whatever. Has that been raised with the witnesses? Is it an issue? Where are the witnesses on it? I am interested to hear.