Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined any proposals around the use and possible banning of SUV private vehicles in city and urban areas; if he would support such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30120/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, there are various measures already in place to improve the emissions performance of vehicles and to reduce car dependency more broadly, both within the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) and the National Sustainable Mobility Policy. As part of the EU's Fit for 55 legislative package, it is proposed - through legislation - to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and vans to zero by 2035.
In Ireland, the taxation of motor vehicles through vehicle registration tax (VRT) and motor tax is already designed to encourage a shift to improved emissions performance. Budget 2021 introduced a revised charging structure for VRT and motor tax bands based on the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) emissions test to better reflect real-driving data, and follows the introduction of a NOx surcharge for VRT in Budget 2020. This is particularly important in the context of heavier vehicles, like SUVs.
While my department has not examined any specific proposals in relation to the use and possible banning of SUV private vehicles in city and urban areas, my department is considering the use of public space by traffic as part of the development of a new National Demand Management Strategy. The aim of the strategy will be to increase the efficiency of the transport system, by reducing travel demand rather than increasing capacity, and to give consideration to a range of urban-focused measures that can achieve policy objectives on multiple fronts - better air quality, improved infrastructure to improve road safety for all road users, especially more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and those with additional mobility needs and an improved public realm. Access to public space by various vehicles may be considered within the context of road space reallocation. Work to develop this strategy is currently underway, with a phase of public consultation on demand management to be held over the second half of 2023.
