Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles; if he has examined the refuelling infrastructure needed for operation here; his plans for test pilots in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34367/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy may be aware, I recently 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 including hydrogen fuelled vehicles.

There are no immediate plans to establish a hydrogen refuelling network, as the cost of the infrastructure is significantly disproportionate to current demand and is likely to remain so until the middle of the next decade. However, the feasibility of establishing a hydrogen refuelling network will be regularly assessed to take account of changes in technological development and market uptake.  

This is one of a number of measures in the draft framework, which is aimed at supporting the uptake of alternatively fuelled vehicles in Ireland.   Diversifying the fuel mix in transport across a range of alternative fuels will ultimately provide the means through which this sector can transition away from oil dependency over the next two decades, supporting our long-term goal to decarbonise the transport sector in Ireland by 2050.