Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach about the concept. I can see the logic where if someone is travelling between Bangor Erris and Belmullet on a Wednesday afternoon, that should be priced differently from a motorists travelling between Blackrock and Ballsbridge on a Tuesday at 8 a.m. TII is working on Project BRUCE, Better Road User Charging Evaluation, and expects to report by the end of the year. The project involves examining a range of different issues. There is an issue in terms of what happens as we switch to all-electric vehicles. What other revenues can be generated to replace the revenues that will be lost and the reduced excise duties? That analysis and strategic thinking need to be done. I do not believe that will be centre stage in the lifetime of this Government or in the near future because we have to provide better alternatives and we must be quick. If we relied on pricing to deliver some of the climate change reductions, the modelling showed a massive increase in pricing to deliver our climate objectives and that would not be politically acceptable or socially just. There is a real role for reviewing and changing the way we price the externalities in transport but the first key decision is investing in public transport, walking and cycling alternatives and re-allocating road space to make sure our buses run really quickly. In time, some of those alternative and more strategic long-term changes can be delivered.