Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to regulate to allow for reduced payment at tolling points for low emission electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32788/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy may know, my Department is in the process of developing the transport sector's contribution to the National Mitigation Plan;  this will include proposals for a range of measures aimed at supporting a transition to low carbon technologies.  In addition, last week I launched for public consultation a draft national policy framework on alternative fuels infrastructure for transport;  this is with a view to removing any barriers that exist towards greater uptake of low emissions vehicles or LEVs.

The Framework reflects the Programme for Partnership Government 's commitment to establishing a dedicated LEV task force involving relevant Government Departments, agencies, industry and representative groups, to consider how and to what extent Ireland could become a lead country in the take-up of electric vehicles.  Greater penetration of LEVs in the Irish market would assist Ireland in meeting emissions reduction, energy efficiency and air quality targets as well as achieving 10% renewable energy in the transport sector by 2020.​ 

As policy in relation to electric vehicles rests with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, his Department is working closely with mine to establish the task force.  The task force is to be established in the coming weeks.  It will work to present a range of potential measures and incentive options to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of LEVs.  Proposals to reduce toll charges for low emissions vehicles will be considered within its work programme.