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

I thank the Deputy for raising important issues. Turning specifically to amendment No. 16 in this grouping, I introduced provisions into the Bill on Committee Stage to underpin the creation of an office to be called zero emission vehicles Ireland. It is intended that this office will play an important role in advancing us towards our target of having 1 million electric vehicles on our roads by 2030. In establishing ZEVI and developing electric vehicle policy, the intention has always been that the concept of electric vehicle includes a wide range of electric and electric-assisted vehicles, including bicycles, tricycles, cargo bikes, mopeds, motorbikes, microcars, velomobiles, cars, buses, vans and a full range of goods vehicles.

As I explained on Committee Stage, ZEVI will take on functions currently spread across my Department, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, the NTA and TII. It will provide drive and focus for our efforts to promote electric vehicles in particular. The intention was to establish this office, in the first instance, within my Department on an administrative basis, pending the passing of the legislation. This has now been done. The passage of the legislation will provide the basis for ZEVI's functions and I intend to transfer it over to the TII later.

Deputy Leddin is proposing to insert a definition of "Zero to low emission vehicles". This would bring a level of clarity in this regard, and I shall discuss this with the Attorney General with a view to tabling a similar amendment in the Seanad. Deputy Leddin is also proposing a wide suite of specific research and reporting activities for ZEVI. The principles behind this are already provided for in section 56(3) in Part 15. This section refers to the Minister and the ZEVI office being initially, as I shall say, in my Department. We plan later to transfer this office to TII and for it to "carry out, arrange to have carried out or assist the carrying out of training and research activities in relation to zero to low emission vehicles and recharging infrastructure and refuelling infrastructure for zero to low emission vehicles".

We also wish to "promote and assist research, development and demonstration of technologies connected with zero to low emission vehicles and recharging infrastructure and refuelling infrastructure for zero to low emission vehicles". We also wish the office to "provide advice, information and guidance in relation to design, standards, accessibility, operation and consumer use of zero to low emission vehicles and recharging infrastructure and refuelling infrastructure for zero to low emission vehicles provide information". Finally, we expect ZEVI to "engage with stakeholders and prepare reports in relation to the development of the electricity network to meet requirements for charging infrastructure for zero to low emission vehicles".

The additional points proposed by Deputy Leddin may help to round out these functions. Therefore, as I said, I will also discuss these with the Attorney General with a view to proposing a similar amendment in the Seanad, with legislation subsequently returning to the Dáil.

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