Written Answers Nos. 208-223
208. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the move to E10 as the standard grade of petrol in Ireland; if he aware of concerns that have been raised by some owners of older models of vehicles; the steps that have been made to mitigate their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14896/23]
View answerThe move to E10 as the standard grade of petrol in Ireland was one of a number of policy actions set out in The Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement 2021-2023 which I published in November 2021.
The statutory consultation on the draft regulations for a minimum percentage ethanol in petrol will end on 30 March. Following consideration of responses to the consultation, and with the consent of the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform, I may make the regulations having regard to effects of the regulations on a range of matters concerning economic activities in the State and on the environment.
Moving to E10 delivers an immediate climate-change mitigation measure using the existing vehicle fleet. There is no need to adapt petrol cars to use E10 and to take advantage of the benefits of this lower-carbon fuel which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The move to E10 is one of several transport measures to achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030 - a projected 1.08 MtCO2eq abatement in greenhouse gas emissions through increasing biofuel blending to E10 (10% Ethanol) and B20 (20% Biodiesel equivalent) set out in Climate Action Plan 2023, with an interim target of E10/B20 by 2025. In 2022, approximately 307m litres (9.6 PJ) of biofuel was placed on the market.
Since 2009, E10 petrol as standard has been rolled out across Europe and is widely available in over 15 European countries as well as Australia and the US. The new regulations will ensure Ireland’s petrol supply will now also align with standard petrol supplied in Northern Ireland since last year, and in Great Britain since 2021.
Nearly all petrol cars on Irish roads were designed and certified to perform using E10 petrol. Some older vehicles, pre-2011 (predominantly pre-2003/pre EURO V standard), were not manufactured with certification for E10 use, but it does not mean they cannot use E10. At this point in time, Ireland’s vehicle fossil fuel fleet is predominantly diesel (c.63% at end 2022) and of the c.1million petrol vehicles, there is a very low level of older vehicles (c.2.4% including vintage) that are pre-2011.
In countries where E10 and higher ethanol blends are used widely there is no evidence of issues. All vehicle owners and operators are required to maintain their vehicles to operating and roadworthy standards.
Maintaining an E5 petrol grade is not in line with the policy objective under the Climate Action Plan for E10 by 2025 and consultation with industry indicated that the vast majority of suppliers do not have the storage or distribution systems to supply both an E5 and an E10 petrol grade. After 1 July when the draft regulations are to be operational, specialist supply of E5 would still be possible in the market, but such supply will not be eligible for certificates under the renewable transport fuel obligation .
To ensure public awareness of the change my Department is running an ongoing E10 public information campaign, through advertising at forecourts and nationally through print media, radio, and digital ads on social platforms. Further Information concerning individual vehicle types can be obtained in operating manuals, information on vehicle’s manufacturer websites, or inside the fuel cap (on newer vehicles). The gov.ie/E10 information website is the main point of reference for further information on the move to E10 and will continue to be over the course of the public awareness campaign which will continue to run in advance of the move to E10.
209. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the steps that are being taken to ensure that insurance companies will offer the required cover to meet the provisions outlined in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14915/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government is committed to legislating for electric bicycles. E-bikes are currently legal to use in Ireland. However, the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which is currently before the Oireachtas, includes provisions to clarify the legal position of low-powered and higher-powered e-bikes.
E-bikes with power of less than 250W, which cannot be propelled by the electric motor alone and which do not exceed 25 km/k, will continue to be treated as bicycles under road traffic legislation. As with bicycles, they will not require motor insurance.
Giving effect to European law, models which have engines above 250W, or which can be solely powered by the electric motor, and are capable of speeds above 25 km/h will be classed as mechanically propelled vehicles. Users will be required to hold an AM licence and to register, tax and insure their vehicle and helmets will be mandatory. They will be treated as mopeds for insurance purposes and it will be up to the user to ensure the correct cover is in place.
Relevant provisions in the Bill will be commenced once the administrative arrangements for registration, licensing and taxation are in place. My Department has already notified Insurance Ireland of the forthcoming legislative changes. However, the provision of insurance cover is a matter for the individual providers, and I have no oversight powers in this regard.
210. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the progress and future implementation of the BusConnects F-spine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14969/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
211. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if each Bus Éireann expressway route has fully recovered in terms of passenger numbers compared to the numbers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [14988/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services are commercial bus services and responsibility for the operation of those services is a matter for the company.I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
212. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff working in an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14997/23]
View answerThe information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Therefore, I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
213. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if planning permission or environmental or other impact assessments are required for major changes to flightpaths to and from airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15057/23]
View answerIn general terms changes to flightpaths are considered in the context of International Civil Aviation Organisation Guidance Material - Environmental Assessment of Proposed Air Traffic Management Operational Changes, subject to the overriding concern in their development being the safe operation of aircraft. Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) constructed by the Irish Aviation Authority Air Navigation Service Provider are also measured for flight efficiency.
With respect to Dublin Airport, the Airport Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 provides a wholly independent aircraft noise regulation process in accordance with EU Regulation 598/2014, ensuring that development at Dublin Airport is subject to assessment and mitigation in respect of the impact of associated aircraft movements on the noise environment around Dublin Airport.
214. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the financial support schemes or incentives currently in place to assist drivers who wish to switch to hybrid/electric vehicles in order to reduce their carbon footprint; if it is planned to introduce additional supports in order to assist in meeting Ireland’s climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15060/23]
View answerThe Government has committed significant funding to support zero and low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund, the Shared Island Fund and the EU Just Transition Fund.
€110m has been allocated in 2023 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
Current financial supports from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from the Department of Finance, for the transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:
- A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);
- A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €600;
- VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;
- Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
- eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV;
- AFHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle;
- Low rate of annual motor tax; and
- Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
These and related infrastructure supports will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
In addition a national EV charging infrastructure strategy was published in January this year which sets out the Government's plan to ensure sufficient infrastructure to support drivers to transition. A number of new destination charging schemes are being rolled out this year. In addition, ZEVI is working closely with its stakeholders to develop national plans in respect of local and en-route charging for publication later this year.
215. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider establishing a working group with a view to reviewing the existing arrangements for blue parking permits to ensure they are fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15088/23]
View answerMy Department is in the early stages of carrying out a comprehensive review of the disabled parking scheme and is currently in the process of engaging relevant expert consultants to this end. This review, the first of its kind since 2010, will evaluate the scheme from an operational and a legal perspective and will include consultation with relevant stakeholders.
216. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the cost of installing an electronic timetable with real-time arrival times at bus stops that currently only have a sign; the estimated cost of installing a roofed shelter at bus stops that currently only have a sign; if he will clarify the process for applying for both, for a particular bus stop; if he will outline his Department’s and Dublin Bus’s plans to install both across Dublin city and county over the coming year; if Dublin Bus will consider installing both at stop 2380, Cork Street and Ardee Street servicing routes towards the city, in the same fashion as the stop directly opposite going in the opposite direction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15133/23]
View answer217. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of installing an electronic timetable with real-time arrival times at bus stops that currently only have a sign. [15206/23]
View answer218. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of installing a roofed shelter at bus stops that currently only have a sign. [15207/23]
View answer219. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the process for applying for particular bus stops (details supplied). [15208/23]
View answer220. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the plans of his Department and Dublin Bus to install a particular type of bus stop (details supplied) across the Dublin city and county over the coming year. [15209/23]
View answer221. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he and Dublin Bus will consider installing a particular type of bus stop (details supplied) at stop 2380, Cork Street, Ardee Street, Dublin, servicing routes towards the city, in the same fashion as the stop directly opposite going the opposite direction. [15210/23]
View answer222. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the cost of installing an electronic timetable with real time arrival times at bus stops; the cost of installing a roofed shelter at bus stops that currently only have a sign; the process for applying for both for a particular bus stop; the plans to install both across the city and county over the coming year in particular at Stop 2380, Cork Street, Ardee Street, in the same fashion as the stop directly opposite going the opposite direction. [15236/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221 and 222 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops, bus shelters and real time signage.
Noting their responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
223. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he has examined the introduction of more flexibility for ten-journey tickets on public service obligation routes by, for example, increasing the expiry date of the ten-journey ticket, taking into account commuters’ new work patterns which mean they might only be travelling a few times a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15256/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the examination of introducing more flexibility for ten-journey tickets on PSO routes, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
