Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:707 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider incorporating the Smarter Transport Bill 2011 into upcoming legislation. [31604/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 July 2012
Ceisteanna (689)
Freagraí scríofa
This question relates to the Smarter Travel Bill which was introduced last year by Deputy Murphy as a Private Members' Bill and the related matters of electric vehicles and car clubs. The purpose of the Smarter Travel Bill is twofold. First, it aims to promote electric car use by allowing local authorities to make bye-laws for the provision and use of charging bays on public roads. Second, it aims to promote the development of car clubs by allowing road authorities make bye-laws for the control and regulation of parking by car club vehicles on public roads. I support the promotion of electric and hybrid vehicles as one of the ways to reduce pollution and improve our environment. With the current state of technology — which is advancing all the time — there are limits on the distance electric cars can travel before recharging. The provision of recharging points is, therefore, an important component in encouraging the use of electric cars.
Car clubs have proven very successful in other jurisdictions, particularly in Germany and the UK. A particular benefit is that families often find that by joining a car club they can avoid the need for a second family car, especially in cases where they might need a second vehicle only occasionally. As with electric cars, I am also in favour of car clubs as a way of reducing the number of vehicles on our roads. I am, therefore, very happy to support appropriate measures to promote electric cars and car clubs.
I have met with the Deputy on the subject, and conveyed my support from the principle of promoting electric cars and car clubs set out in his Private Members' Bill. My Department is now engaged in work on the development of the next Road Traffic Bill, which I hope to publish at the end of 2012. This Bill will address a number of issues, and will provide an opportunity to consider proposals for facilitating electric cars and car clubs. As far as is possible, I intend to include the proposed measures from the Smarter Travel Bill in the Road Traffic Bill.
Question No. 708 answered with Question No. 91.
Question No. 709 answered with Question No. 121