Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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296. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [45580/22]

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 Headquarters and its Missions abroad. The Department is committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle.

Under the Department’s official vehicle management policy and in line with our Green Foreign Ministry policy new and replacement vehicle purchases must comply with our objective of minimising our carbon footprint. Factors like pollutant emissions, fuel efficiency and noise levels are taken into account when evaluating vehicle specifications.

Where feasible, electric vehicles are favoured, followed by hybrid options. Some of our Missions operate in difficult environments where security, road infrastructure and health and safety issues will be significant factors when deciding on an appropriate official vehicle.

There are no state agencies and bodies under the Department's remit.