Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information on the status of the Smarter Transport Bill 2011 and any forthcoming legislation from his Department that might include elements of it. [8386/13]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to further encourage the use of more sustainable transport solutions by allowing local authorities to create bye-laws to regulate the use of electric vehicles, car clubs and so on. [8497/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 165 together.

I strongly support measures to promote sustainable travel.  In this context I am keen to facilitate both growth in the use of electric cars and the development of car clubs. As the law currently stands, there is no provision for on-street charging points for electric cars, and no provision for car clubs.  Last December the Government approved my proposals for a new Road Traffic Bill, which is now being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.  Among other measures, I have included in this Bill a provision to allow for the making of regulations in relation to electric parking bays and car clubs.  This will be in the form of an amendment to the existing powers under which I, as Minister, am enabled to make regulations in relation to parking in public places.

The effect of this amendment will be that regulations can be made regarding the allocation of on-street parking spaces as recharging spaces for electric vehicles and as spaces for car clubs.  Local authorities will then be able to make resolutions providing for such spaces in conformity with the regulations.  It is proposed that the making of resolutions by local authorities pursuant to these regulations will be a reserved function.