Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the amendment the Minister has made to the benefit-in-kind measure. The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party as a group met with the Minister to explain that while we believe any initiatives to move towards cleaner vehicles, whether electric or hybrid, are welcome, in some cases people would be put very much out of pocket by this measure. I really appreciate that the Minister listened. We are all in agreement on the direction of travel in relation to electric cars and I welcome the fact that the Minister listened and made the amendment. Perhaps it can be revisited in the future but for my part, and on behalf of the parliamentary party who approached the Minister, a degree of gratitude is due.

In relation to some of the comments made by Independent Deputies, and by Deputy Michael Collins in particular, we are actually in agreement on a lot of the points made. I welcome the fact that Deputy Collins is calling for an increase in EV charging infrastructure and I agree that west Cork needs it. At the moment there are very few fast chargers in west Cork. These are the fastest type of charging facility for EVs, where one can get quite a good charge in ten to 20 minutes, in the time it takes to go for a cup of coffee and spend a few bob in the local garage. They are very effective and efficient and are the model for the future but I agree with Deputy Collins that we do not have enough of them, particularly in west Cork. There is one each in Skibbereen, Clonakilty and Bandon but when one goes further west, there needs to be a bigger roll out. I also agree that EVs cost a lot and not everybody is able to afford a new electric vehicle. A sum of €30,000, €35,000 or €40,000 is a lot to spend on anything and there are lots of people out there who do not have that kind of money.

There are, however, many people out there who are in the market for a new car and there is no reason they should not consider buying an electric vehicle. I will talk about why in a minute but these new EVs, at €30,000 to €40,000 cost the same as a new diesel SUV or a hybrid vehicle. They are very similar in terms of price range so if someone is going to buy a new car, why not buy an EV? EVs do work.

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