Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
639. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the actions taken with respect to the target set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023-25 to increase the use of alternative fuels in public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1049/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleet is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.
With regard the urban public PSO fleet, electric buses first entered passenger service in 2024. To date, there are approximately 200 electric buses in passenger service in Dublin, Limerick and Athlone, with more due to enter service in the future.
One of the key priorities under Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund Programme is to provide former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition which is targeted at the wider Midlands Region. The Department is currently focussing on exploring two Public Transport actions:
• Decarbonisation of a public local rural bus route including scoping, installation of electric charging points, and the purchase of electric buses; and
• Support to private bus operators in the territory to move to electric vehicles including consultancy support and support for specific aspect of the electrification upgrade.
These actions are progressing with eligible private bus operators being provided with support, works are due to commence on the installation of an electric charging point at the Longford Bus Éireann depot during Q2 of 2026, a TFI Local Link route has been selected for electrification, and work is ongoing in the NTA on the procurement of electric buses to be deployed on the route.
The Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2025–2027, published in June 2025, sets out a pathway for increasing renewable transport fuel use to support achievement of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and EU Renewable Energy Directive 2030 targets for an increased share of renewable energy in transport and transport decarbonisation. This includes annual increases in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) rate and Advanced Biofuel Obligation Rate to 2030.
