Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face.  The transport sector, which accounts for about a fifth of our overall carbon emissions, must play a pivotal role in the national decarbonisation effort. I am committed to placing Ireland on the right track to achieve zero-emission mobility by at least 2050. Our public transport operators are central to this goal, leading by example and demonstrating that change is possible and positive.

As the largest public transport company in the state, Dublin Bus is acutely aware of their responsibility to embed sustainable practices in every aspect of their business from their buses to the travel patterns of their own employees. The company currently has 24 charging points across five locations as well as a policy that, where suitable, electric vehicles are to be used for pooled cars/vans. Dublin Bus are also committed to a replacement programme to transition their existing pooled diesel cars to zero emission alternatives where available. In line with their commitment to reduce the number of car journeys by the company in Dublin, including those made by their employees, the company has just launched a dedicated employee e-bike scheme. The new initiative, a pilot project to run for 12 months, is designed to provide employees with a more sustainable way to travel between the companies’ various locations.

Similarly, GoAhead takes sustainability very seriously. They currently have three charging points at their Ballymount Depot for employee use. In the coming months, during an expansion of their depot, they plan on installing more charging points for staff and visitors. On top of this, the depot expansion works will allow for the completion of the initial ground works to future proof and accommodate electric bus charging. Furthermore, the company has three electric cars to support business needs along with plans to phase out their 7 diesel pooled cars over the next three years.

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the National Transport Authority of an order for 120 double-deck battery-electric buses and an intention to procure up to 800 more over the next five years. Going electric will reduce the carbon footprint of our public transport fleet, and will help us reach our long-term climate goals. Of the 120 buses currently on order, 100 are destined for use by Dublin Bus on PSO bus services within the Dublin Metropolitan Area and 20 are destined for use by Bus Éireann for use in the Limerick Metropolitan Area. There is future provision for these electric buses to be introduced in Cork, Galway and Waterford

Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. Public transport operators have an important role to play in delivering on this priority in terms of providing sustainable transport for members of the public as well as for their own employees. While I am under no illusion as to the enormity of the task ahead of us, I am assured that our public transport operators are fully committed to achieve these objectives for their own companies, our communities, and our future.