*Cllr Joe Killeen.
RURAL IRELAND residents need to receive “generous grants” for electric vehicles and solar panels, a North Clare councillor has argued.
In a proposal before Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) asked the Minister for the Environment and Minister for Transport, both portfolios which are held by Eamon Ryan (GP) “to prioritise generous grants for electrical vehicles and solar panels, to power same, for those who live in rural Ireland who depend on their vehicles for transportation and work”.
Speaking at this week’s sitting, he recalled, “at one stage there was a discount travelling to the M50”.
More of an incentive is needed to encourage people living in rural Ireland to avail of green measures as the same connectivity does not exist compared with urban areas, he stated. “People living in rural Clare and rural Ireland feel they wouldn’t have the ability to step on a bus every morning to go to work so there should be greater incentives for people living in rural Ireland, increasing grants would be an encouragement”. Killeen said, “Grants would encourage people to make the step”.
Highlighting air quality, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) stated, “less cars on the road is better for our health long-term”. He said green infrastructure “needs development” across Co Clare.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) asked Cllr Killeen if he wanted the motion dispatched to the relevant departments now “or when the new Government is formed” to which Cllr Killeen replied, “I’d be delighted to meet the new Minister for Transport”.
