Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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563. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, as part of carbon emissions targets, he will incentivise the conversion of cars from petrol to liquid petroleum gas; if he will deal in particular with the issue of cars registered pre-2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45300/14]

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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579. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the laws that currently exist here regarding the regulation of the industry relating to the liquid petroleum gas conversion of cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45293/14]

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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580. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the view of the Road Safety Authority on the practice of converting petrol engines to liquid petroleum engines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45294/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 579 and 580 together.

My Department is currently preparing the transport sector’s input into the National Low Carbon Roadmap, which is being co-ordinated by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.  A low-carbon vision for the sector is required and measures to develop a robust and cost-effective policy platform for the delivery of that vision will need to be evaluated.  It is within this context that measures to incentivise alternative fuels will be considered.  Alternative fuels that have the greatest emissions reduction potential will be viewed more favourably but certainty of supply and cost will have to be taken into account also.  Such measures would have to be agreed, in the first instance, with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, which is the lead Department for all energy related matters in Ireland.

In relation to cars registered pre-2008, I presume you are referring to the motor tax and Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) systems.  Any plans to amend these charging systems would have to be agreed with, and approved by, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in conjunction with the Minister for Finance.

Separately, and in line with the recently adopted EU Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, my Department will be required to prepare a National Policy Framework over the next two years to support the uptake of alternative fuels in Ireland.  Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is among a suite of alternative fuels listed in the Directive, which is to be considered from the perspective of long term oil substitution potential within the EU.

In relation to the regulation of the industry that converts cars to liquid petroleum gas, I have no function in this matter.

I have asked the Road Safety Authority to contact you directly with their views on the practice of converting petrol engines to liquid petroleum engines. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.