Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the deal signed with a company (details supplied) in relation to electric car roll out; if he will publish the signed agreement; the content of the signed agreement; when he expects the mass roll out of the electric cars here; the number of electric cars he estimates to be on Irish roads by 2011, 2015 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16226/09]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the commitments of the ESB under the Government deal with a company (details supplied); the specific charging infrastructure that will be built by the ESB over the course of the next two years; the amount the electric car charging infrastructure will cost over the next two years; the way the ESB and Government will pay for this new infrastructure; the timescale for the construction and roll out of a nationwide charging network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16227/09]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way, in relation to a recent announcement by him and the ESB regarding plans to radically increase the usage of electrical vehicles, he will proceed with such moves; the time frame for same; if the roll-out of electric vehicles will provide significant employment opportunities in this field; and the main recruiting body that will drive recruitment. [16586/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 388, 389 and 397 together.

Together with the Minister for Transport, I announced plans last year for the large scale deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. The target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020, will represent up to 250,000 cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years. Targets for 2011 and 2015 have not been set. A number of initiatives to advance the strategy have already been put in place.

The recent Memorandum of Understanding signed with Renault-Nissan has ensured that Ireland will be one of the first countries in the world to be supplied with both Renault and Nissan electric cars. This will be a major opportunity for Ireland both in terms of our targets and more generally in relation to the economic impact of electric car development. Under the Memorandum of Understanding ESB Networks will be able to avail of a range of information on developments in electric vehicles, enabling more detailed and precise planning around infrastructure, support mechanisms and the potential benefits accruing. The Government will work with the ESB to determine how the necessary infrastructure arising from the arrangement will be put in place and how best to fund this infrastructure. The Memorandum of Understanding does not involve any cost to the Exchequer.

The Memorandum of Understanding does not convey exclusive rights in relation to the provision of electric cars. Ireland is open for business to all manufacturers in relation to electric vehicles and I look forward to building relationships with all global players in the sector. I am investigating the scope for disseminating the details of the Memorandum of Understanding. Publication of the Memorandum of Understanding in whole or in part requires the written consent of all of the parties to it. The Minister for Finance has provided a new tax incentive for businesses to purchase electric vehicles in the 2009 Finance Act. This enables businesses to write off 100% of the cost of purchase against tax under the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is also developing a €1 million project on alternative transport technologies including electric vehicles.

An inter-departmental agency Taskforce has been established and is meeting regularly to progress the framework for deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland and is being chaired by my Department. The Departments of Transport, Finance, the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Enterprise, Trade and Employment along with SEI, ESB, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland are all represented on the taskforce.

The taskforce is assessing the options and timeframe for creating the necessary infrastructure for the national roll-out of electric vehicles. The Government is sending out the message that Ireland is open for business in this area and we will also take account of global developments as the technologies mature. The taskforce will report its initial findings and advise on next steps shortly. Three sub groups have been set up; a Transport/Infrastructure Group, a Fiscal Group, and an Enterprise Group.

The reports of these groups will feed into the main report being prepared by the taskforce. All issues relating to employment opportunities, the costs involved in providing car charging infrastructure and associated issues will be addressed in the report.