Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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590. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by his Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45573/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I advise the Deputy that the procurement of vehicles for use by my Department is undertaken in accordance with the relevant public procurement guidelines and my Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and with due regard to the European Communities (Clean and Energy Efficient Road Transport Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, S.I no 38 of 2021. My Department avails of the centralised frameworks put in place by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) for the supply of electric vehicles.

The Public Sector Climate Action Mandate requires public sector bodies to show leadership in climate action by taking specific actions, including the requirement to purchase only zero-emission vehicles where available and operationally feasible from the end of 2022, enabling Ireland to go beyond the requirements of the Clean Vehicle Directive.

In support of the Clean and Efficient Energy measures, all viable options for electric vehicle alternatives are explored first and foremost and resort to non-electric is only considered if this is the only viable alternative. My Department owns a range of vehicles, including specialised agricultural vehicles for which there are currently no alternative electric or hybrid equivalents available. In the future, when procuring vehicles for my Department’s owned and managed farms, appropriate attention will be given to electric and/or hybrid vehicles when they become available for commercial and agricultural purposes.  Over the last year, my Department has purchased a number of electric vehicles for use at its Fishery Harbour Centres.

As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.