Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 879: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has given consideration to amending the Road Traffic Act in order that all electric vehicles may use bus lanes for an introductory period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33204/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much in favour of encouraging the use of electric vehicles as an environmentally friendly alternative to petrol- or diesel-power cars. At the same time I also wish to encourage greater use of public transport, as being a more environmentally sustainable mode of transport than the private car. Bus lanes have been put in place at public expense for the particular purpose of giving priority on our roads to public transport, particularly in congested urban areas. I have no plans to extend access to bus lanes to include electric vehicles.