Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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334. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if electric hybrid car users can be exempt from parking charges while parked and plugged into charging points. [12552/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​Over the coming years, a transition to alternatively-fuelled vehicles will be required to effect a substantial reduction in Ireland's overall transport emissions.  My Department recently developed a draft national policy framework for alternative fuels infrastructure - in line with the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (2014/94/EU) - and carried out a public consultation from 27 October to 23 November 2016 on this draft framework to support the deployment of alternative fuels in Ireland.  Following consideration of submissions received from the consultation process, I expect to finalise and publish the National Policy Framework in the coming weeks.

The gives local authorities the power to make bye-laws governing the type of paid parking controls in their areas. Some local authorities allow free designated parking for a period of time while a plug-in electric vehicle is charging but it is a matter for each individual authority to consider how to treat this.

I am, of course, committed to exploring mechanisms to encourage increased take up of electric vehicles.  My Department, together with the Department for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, have convened an Interdepartmental Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) Task Force to consider the range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies, especially EVs, in line with the "Programme for a Partnership Government" commitment. 

The LEV Task Force has begun its work and has divided its work into three workstreams.  It will review the full suite of possible measures to encourage increased take up of LEVs.  Public parking and charges will be considered in this context. The Task Force also intends to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to contribute to the issues considered. Progress being made by the Task force will be available on my Department's website.