Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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770. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department, agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15120/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs purchases motor vehicles to facilitate the functioning and operations of its HQ units and its Missions abroad and we are committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle. In particular, Mission staff abroad are required to undertake a significant volume of travel in the performance of their official functions.  This ranges from city journeys during the working day and in the evening, and long journeys of up to several hundred miles by road.  As well as demanding schedules, in many cases there are also issues related to limited availability of public transport, security considerations and location. Official vehicles also provide an important logistical support to Missions.

Under the Department’s updated official vehicle management policy, and in line with our Green Foreign Ministry policy, new and replacement vehicle purchases must now comply with our policy of minimising our carbon footprint. Factors like pollutant emissions, fuel efficiency and noise levels are taken into account when preparing vehicle specifications. The procurement of electric vehicles is given strong consideration by default followed by consideration of hybrid options. However, it should be noted that some our Missions operate in difficult environments where security and health and safety issues will a significant factor when deciding on an official vehicle.

The Department owns 175 vehicles and leases 2 vehicles across its HQ and its 90 Missions abroad.

The breakdown of engine type is as follows:

The Department has no agencies or semi-State companies under its remit.