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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Electric vehicle charging access

Summary

Senator McGahon welcomed the announcement of electric vehicle charging points for people without private parking and said his earlier Commencement debate had helped prompt action. Senators Craughwell and McGahon then traded brief humorous remarks about his success and newsletter.

This morning, I had a Commencement debate about the provision of electric vehicle charging points to people who do not have access to a private dwelling. Let nobody doubt the importance of the Seanad because a few minutes after I finished speaking, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, announced the very thing I was asking for. That shows clearly that Ministers pay attention to what is said in this august Chamber. Do not let anybody tell you otherwise. I will not use the words "coincidence" or "fluke" when referring to the acceptance of my request. I warmly welcome this measure. The announcement addressed many of the things I raised. The Department is going to provide financial support to pay 80% of the cost of installing the necessary electric cables in existing apartment blocks. The new measures will mean that people who live in an apartment block or have off-street parking will be able to avail of the €600 grant to be put towards providing electric vehicles. That will help many of the 204,000 people in this country who own apartments.

I would like to expand on the measures announced by the Minister. I would also like to ask the Minister to come to the Chamber in the future. I earlier raised a concept that is being operated in Germany. People with electric vehicles in Germany can pull up beside a public light and charge their vehicles from that light. That is the type of outside-the-box thinking we need between now and 2030 if we are to hit our target of 1 million electric vehicles.

I warmly welcome the Minister's announcement. I would like to think it was a natural result of my Commencement debate but I do not have the ego to suggest that.

Comment on this

Senator McGahon gets things done.

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This is it. This is how you deliver stuff. I would be keen to hear the Acting Leader's response on this matter.

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I cannot wait for Senator McGahon's newsletter.

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It is already out.

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