Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The first point made by Senator Norris was one I intended to make, so I will merely reinforce it. In France, for example, every angler has his own white van. Anglers do not have to pay tax on these vehicles and must pay only for the petrol they use. In other words, while petrol is more expensive in France than it is in this State, the motor industry can flourish in the sense that people can purchase cars without having to pay an associated tax, use them as they need them and pay tax on the basis of the petrol used. I understand an initial payment of VRT of some description is payable to the local authority, which is important.

In regard to electric cars, the reality is that Israel has decided to go 100% electric, with Renault, Peugeot and Citreon manufacturing electric cars for that market. Why are we talking about a target of 10%? Every objection that has been raised in regard to electric cars has been refuted. Instead of aiming for 200,000 cars by 2020, we should aim to go all the way. We have reached a stage where it can be done. Last week, I showed members of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security a copy of a new electric car being produced by a company in Silicon Valley in the United States. Based on the chassis of the Lotus Elite or Lotus Elan, it is a smashing looking car, with all the attractive features of roadster-type cars. It can outperform a Porsche 911 from 0 to 60 mph and has a range of 260 miles. It meets all the requirements and overcomes all the objections that have been raised.

We must ensure that all car manufacturers conform to a defined standard for battery charging. We do not want a rerun of the war between VHS and Betamax 25 years ago, or blu-ray and its competitors more recently. It is a question of one simple decision; the manufacturers must get their act together and devise one system for everybody. Recharging an electric car should be the same as refilling a gas cylinder. In the case of a journey from Cork to Dublin, for example, the electric car's range of 260 miles is only marginally less than that of a petrol or diesel car. Instead of having to stop at some point in the journey and wait six hours to recharge the car, one should be able, in the same way as filling a conventional car with fuel, to drive into the battery exchange which is part of the service station and come out three minutes later with a new set of batteries. That can already be done but people are not aware of it.

The great advantage of electric cars, apart from the obvious one of reduced emissions, is that their use adds to our energy security. Batteries will be recharged in battery banks during the night, at the trough period of demand when electricity is cheapest. We have no electrical storage facility in the State, apart from Turlough Hill. The latter is some 75% efficient in the sense that of the amount of energy required to fill the lake, 75% is given back when it is let flow again. By contrast, the electric cars will be charged at night and will enhance energy supply.

The Minister, Deputy Gormley, should take the initiative on this matter. I knew the late Donagh O'Malley and recall his great way of doing business. He simply made an announcement and let the Civil Service worry about the details of implementing it. I recall saying to the Minister in the week of his appointment that he should do likewise. The problems of implementation should never get in the way of a good decision, policy or principle. We should simply make the decision to go electric and deal with any difficulties as and when they arise. The cars will not be confined to 50 mph or for city use only, as has been suggested. All the features people want can be delivered, in attractive vehicles which others will stop and admire. That is the way forward. As an island, we are in the best position of any European state to get started on this.

I see no drawbacks to such an approach, yet the Minister is reducing the target in terms of electric car numbers. There is no practical reason we should not aim for a take-up rate of 90% or 100%. The Government should provide support for the establishment of battery banks at various locations throughout the State. The number required is not large. All electric cars come with two chargers, one for use at home and one to be kept in the boot for use elsewhere. Most motorists with a diesel car will get eight to ten miles per litre. Given an average cost of €1 per litre, each mile driven in a diesel car costs its owner somewhere between 10 cent and 13 cent. Electric cars will cover the same distance at a cost of 3 or 4 cent per mile, which is some two thirds less.

There is nothing to stop us from taking this initiative. There is nothing futuristic about these vehicles, they are not something out of a Jules Verne book. Israel is already moving in this direction and there is no reason we could not be the first European country to do the same. It merely requires the drive to do it. I can find no argument against it that cannot be rebutted. It is of benefit to the industry, reduces carbon emissions and enhances our energy independence. Every aspect is positive and there are no negative implications. I ask the Minister to up the ante in this regard and make it work.

Senator Coffey referred to the difficulties he has encountered with road transport. I travelled by bus this morning from the edge of Senator Hannigan's constituency, a journey that usually takes one hour and 15 minutes by car. I got on the bus at 8.20 a.m. and walked in the door of Leinster House at 9.15 a.m. When the bus corridors work effectively, as they do on the N2 into the city, people will use them. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, made this point at the weekend. People must have confidence that buses will arrive and will run smoothly. In continental Europe, people have no need to consult a timetable. They know a particular train will arrive at X minutes past the hour and that the bus they wish to catch will be there within ten or 15 minutes. If passengers have to check a timetable, the service is not working.

I am picking up on the issues referred to by the Minister in his speech rather than the detail of the Bill. We must examine the possibilities for rail freight as opposed to road freight. However, Iarnród Éireann is reducing its freight capacity. The rail system more or less closes down at 9 p.m. and is thus a wasted infrastructure. I have exaggerated here but only slightly. Freight should be moved during those times when trains are not running. Business and commercial vested interests of previous generations did not allow trains to be brought a further 100 yards or 200 yards to the docks at Limerick, Dublin and other cities. Business communities were always determined to block this type of movement. It should be the case that the majority of cargo is taken off the boats and onto the rail. Limerick docks is very busy, with two ships per day from Europort in the Hague. Currently, these containers are all going onto the roads. This is unnecessary and is merely a legacy left to us from the time when carters and carriers made their fortunes bringing goods from the dockside to the rail head, which was only 200 yards away. That day is gone and we should move on.