Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate what I said to the Deputy because I do not know whether he heard me. The trials will be reported on soon. Low emission bus trials have been undertaken and we will get a report on the findings soon. I will share the findings with the Deputy but I cannot do so until I receive the report and it would be premature for me to do so.

6 o’clock

When I get the report I do not see any reason those numbers should not be given to the Deputy as well. I cannot give them to the Deputy in advance of receiving them myself.

The low-emission buses will be employed under the BusConnects programme and the intention is that 50% of the greater Dublin area fleet will transition to low-emission options by 2023, with 100% making the change by 2030. I specifically stated that the figure of 600 is indicative and the number may not be 600. It is to give the Deputy a ballpark idea and the figure could be much smaller. We will see and it would be up to the National Transport Authority to draw them down on an annual basis. It is always in the interest of the Opposition to tie down the Government to figures it will not keep but that will not happen. I am just trying to be helpful by saying to the Deputy that 600 is the indicative figure. It is very ambitious and I expect the Deputy welcomes it. It will have a beneficial effect on people in his constituency. The numbers are ambitious and an indication of our determination that low-emission buses should serve the people of Dublin and elsewhere.

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