Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I rise today to raise the issue of electric vehicle charging points, but not the lack of same or the need for more. I have been contacted by a number of people who recently invested in electric vehicles in regard to their inability to access charging points, particularly in rural areas and small villages, as non-electric vehicles are being parked or abandoned in front of them. This is happening in rural areas in particular where there is no paid parking and hence no parking wardens. There is nobody policing the charging points. This issue needs to be raised with the relevant Department. There is need for additional signage at electric vehicle charging points and increased penalties or fines for those who park in front of them. One can imagine the frustration of an electric vehicle owner who, when the battery is almost dead, arrives at a charging point to find a three litre diesel car parked in front of it, which means he or she cannot access it or continue on his or her journey. There is nobody policing charging points in small towns in rural areas where there is no paid parking. I ask the Deputy Leader to raise this issue with the relevant Minister.

If the people who raised this issue with me are speaking to other people about this matter they are probably speaking negatively about electric vehicles, thereby deterring those who might be considering purchasing an electric vehicle from doing so. As we are all aware, this is the direction in which we have to go. The charging points are limited enough. If they are not accessible, this is another black mark against purchasing an electric vehicle. They need to be policed in the areas I have mentioned, although I admit I do not know how this can be done.