Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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4. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the work of his Department to increase and support the use of E10 fuels; if he is aware of any safety or incompatibility concerns with respect to E10 fuels in certain models of cars and vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20630/23]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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Will the Minister of State update me on the work his Department has done on increasing and supporting the use of E10 fuels? Is he aware of any safety or incompatibility issues with other vehicles in respect of E10 fuel? I have received some concerning information from a correspondent who works in the motor trade who brought to my attention that there are safety concerns with E10 fuel. Has the Minister of State received that information?

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The move to E10 has been signalled since 2021 in the renewable transport fuel policy. Moving to E10 petrol as standard will bring an immediate climate change mitigation measure using the existing vehicle fleet. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, made regulations for E10 on 1 April 2023 and these will be fully operational by 1 July. The regulations will be kept under review under the ongoing implementation of the policy. E10 petrol as standard has been rolled out across 15 European countries since 2009, as well as in the US and Australia. Ireland’s petrol supply will now align with Northern Ireland and Great Britain. I have been informed that all vehicles can operate on E10 and it is safe to do so. In some older vehicles, sustained use may result in more frequent maintenance, but it does not mean that they cannot use E10. This has been borne out by experience in other jurisdictions. All vehicle owners and operators are required to maintain their vehicles to operating and roadworthy standards.

The annual decline of petrol cars and increased uptake of zero-emission vehicles is likely to reduce the number of affected vehicles even further over the next decade or so. Of the circa 1 million petrol vehicles in Ireland, there are fewer pre-2011 vehicles. Circa 2.4% of older vehicles are pre-2011, of which less than 1% are vintage or classic cars. Consultation with the industry indicated that the vast majority of suppliers do not have the storage or distribution systems to supply both an E5 and an E10 petrol grade at forecourts. However, specialist supply of E5 can still be offered in the market if sufficient demand exists. After 1 July, supply of E5 will not be eligible for renewable transport fuel obligation, RTFO, certificates. E10 petrol as standard is one of several transport measures being used to achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030 through increasing biofuel blending to E10, 10% ethanol, and B20, 20% biodiesel, equivalent by 2030 as set out in Climate Action Plan 2023, with a 2025 interim target of E10 and B12 equivalent, supporting a projected 1.08 megatonne CO2 equivalent of carbon abatement. I will give more detail later.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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It would be wrong to dismiss any potential safety issues associated with E10 fuel as being caused by a lack of maintenance. That is the wrong approach. Can this matter be looked into? If there are safety issues, it is serious. Certainly, the information I have to hand suggests the move to E10 petrol will put people's lives in danger. My correspondent who works in the motor industry tells me they have been advised to use the UK checker to see whether a car is compatible with E10 fuel. For example, it is advised that a 2007 Lexus should not be run on E10 and should use E5 instead. This is a car that cost more than €50,000 15 years ago.

Now, it is not suitable for use in Ireland. I will list a few others. Some 2008 Toyota Avensis and Audi A4 models, 2007 Ford Mondeo models and 2006 Volkswagen Golf models are not suitable, and there are many others. Given this information, the Minister of State will see why we need absolute guarantees around the safety of introducing and using E10 fuels.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am answering on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The advice is that the sustained use of E10 fuel in older vehicles may result in more frequent maintenance due to the vulnerability of certain vehicle parts to the solvent properties of ethanol requiring, for example, their more frequent replacement, but the clear feedback is that this does not mean they cannot be operated with E10 fuels and that it is safe to do so. The European specifications have outlined that. The legislation does not prevent any independent or specialist fuel supplier from placing an E5 blend of petrol on the market even after 1 July when the regulations are fully operational. The clear guidance is that E10 fuels are safe to use.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. Regarding the safety issues I referred to, it has been brought to my attention that E10 petrol has a higher level of bioethanol, which is corrosive to gasket seals, metals, plastics and many other materials. If a rubber hose or seal gets damaged from using E10 fuel and it fails, spraying high-pressure petrol around the engine bay that then comes in contact with high temperatures or sparks, something like the exhaust manifold will quickly turn the car into a fireball. This is a serious concern and does not have to do with maintenance. There could be a family in the car.

The move to E10 fuels will affect people on low incomes who are struggling and have no choice but to use an older car. The safety issues must be investigated properly before the change is made, as climate change is not the only consideration. People's safety is also important.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The clear evidence and guidance is to the effect that E10 fuel is safe but may necessitate more frequent maintenance. If the Deputy wishes to correspond with the Department about her specific concerns, I will ask the officials who have been engaging on this issue here and with their European colleagues to respond with the specific guidance. That may be helpful in responding to the people who have been in touch with her. The policy advice is that it is safe to change to E10 fuels.