Ms Marie Donnelly:

I thank the Deputy for the questions. He is absolutely right to point out the real situation here in Ireland. We are a very dispersed population in a large space, relatively speaking. Therefore, transport is a particular challenge in Ireland. To answer the questions the Deputy raised specifically, the council has already said that charging support on both our motorways and, indeed, off motorways in Ireland is inadequate. We fully support the substantial roll-out of publicly accessible charging points on motorways and also at points within urban and rural spaces, towns and villages. I am aware that there is a programme being rolled out by the Department of Transport to enhance not only the numbers but also the capacity of the charging points on motorways, and to roll out additional charging points in towns, on streets and in villages. It is taking time. It is not happening fast enough, but at least the plan is there and we can monitor it, as we are doing, and follow it. I would make one point associated with it. In these charging points we are using electricity. Our objective, of course, is to decarbonise the electricity system in Ireland. We can do that by using renewables, including wind and solar power. It is important that we ensure that we can generate enough renewable electricity to support the roll-out of charging points - and fast charging points, because that requires a little bit extra from the grid - so that we can support people when the are using EVs in their transport mechanisms. We can start to see how transport will ultimately link with electricity and how it does not stop there, because it also goes to housing and planning. The whole system interconnects. However, in this specific area there is a shortage of charging points, and of fast charging points specifically. I acknowledge that and agree with the Deputy there.