New Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan

28-06-2020 1:13pm #1

So we have a new minister for Transport, Energy and Climate: Eamon Ryan.

What's your initial thoughts? Is it a good thing or bad thing for Irelands motor and transport industries?

I think it could be great, IF, the movement towards electric cars is aggressively pursued and accelerated, with creative and innovative ideas implemented to get us there quickly.

But if it's all about heavily taxing ICE cars and the fuel required to keep these on the road, and that's it, then sorry, he'll be yet another failure. Incentivise us to change, IMHO, is a much preferred route to penalising us to stay with ICE.

All the Greens did when last in office is tax, tax, and more tax- not a novel idea in their collective little brains, bless their cotton socks.

As for commuting times, better public transport, while I'm not expecting great strides in 6 months time as these issues are complex, I really would like to see solid efforts to tackle these important issues.

Titzon Toast · 28-06-2020 1:16pm

His first job should be to take on the Irish insurance federation/cartel.

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 1:17pm

Electricity grid isn't in great shape, power cuts will become more frequent, having a tonne and a half of useless sitting in the yard isn't going to much of an incentive.

JC01 · 28-06-2020 1:17pm

He’ll probably accomplish the difficult task of being an even worse transport minister than Shane Ross and that i itself will be quite a feat.

I don’t believe the greens want us all in electric cars, they don’t want us to have our own cars at all. Remember him on about a rural village sharing 30 cars? If he feels that’s an idea that’s moderate enough for him to say out loud imagine what the clown actually thinks in his own head..

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 1:17pm

If his focus is on electric cars, he's missed the point. They take up the same space as traditional vehicles, they have a huge environmental cost in manufacture, disposal and brake/tyre particle emissions. It is insane that we subsidise EVs by €5k each, while the maximum benefit for an eBike purchase, which can cost €3k-€5k is €400, and that's only available to a higher rate taxpayer.

His focus needs to be on sustainable modes of travel, and EVs aren't sustainable.

28-06-2020 1:18pm

Putting that green nutjob over transport has to be just someone trolling us all for the weekend. Hopefully they’ll tell us the real minister on Monday.

28-06-2020 1:20pm

Expect diesel and petrol to top 2 euro a litre inside 3 years

Handy enough enact laws,to target car ownership,when ya never live in an area with no public transport

micosoft · 28-06-2020 1:21pm

RandomViewer wrote: »

Electricity grid isn't in great shape, power cuts will become more frequent, having a tonne and a half of useless sitting in the yard isn't going to much of an incentive.

Huh? On what basis do you make this statement?

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 1:21pm

Titzon Toast wrote: »

His first job should be to take on the Irish insurance federation/cartel.

Pearce Doherty proposed the insurance reform it won't be enacted Because he proposed it. Basically all any opposition politician can propose very good things and they will never be enacted by the now current government.
So if PBP propose cycle lanes for every road none will be built,

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 1:24pm

micosoft wrote: »

Huh? On what basis do you make this statement?

Grid struggling with demand, add in a few thousand electric cars charging at 4 kw an hour ,Brown out every few weeks. Infrastructure isn't there

Atlantic Dawn · 28-06-2020 1:24pm

No doubt 20 cent on the price of a litre of fuel in the next 2 years to make Ireland the world leader in being led up the garden path by lunatics.

Gooey Looey · 28-06-2020 1:27pm

His last ministerial role he sold out to vested interests and gifted Three a phone network they were going to build anyway. He hates rural Ireland, can't see him doing anything for those outside the cities

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 1:28pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

No doubt 20 cent on the price of a litre of fuel in the next 2 years to make Ireland the world leader in being led up the garden path by lunatics.

Filling stations along the border will make a killing, won't be a litre of heating oil sold accross the whole southern side,
Massive theft of trees from Coillte and not a pallet safe. Greens did this in 09 and paid the price, are they really that stupid? (Ryan excluded)

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 1:30pm

Gooey Looey wrote: »

His last ministerial role he sold out to vested interests and gifted Three a phone network they were going to build anyway. He hates rural Ireland, can't see him doing anything for those outside the cities

They'll be faking attacks on constituency offices like they did last time, playing the pity card

StackSteevens · 28-06-2020 1:30pm

Titzon Toast wrote: »

His first job should be to take on the Irish insurance federation/cartel.

Maybe it would be wiser to leave that task to the Minister responsible.

drunkmonkey · 28-06-2020 1:31pm

Electric scooters and bikes will be legal, were going to end up with better public transport, EV car grants will be seriously reduced I expect the SEAI 5k grant to be scrapped shortly he's already said he's not in favor of it there's better uses for the money.
I think he'll be good especially for a pretty much non existent public transport service, hopefully it's not all about Dublin.

screamer · 28-06-2020 1:31pm

I expect to see all kinds of stupid taxes and crazy suggestions for transport.

micosoft · 28-06-2020 1:34pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

If his focus is on electric cars, he's missed the point. They take up the same space as traditional vehicles, they have a huge environmental cost in manufacture, disposal and brake/tyre particle emissions. It is insane that we subsidise EVs by €5k each, while the maximum benefit for an eBike purchase, which can cost €3k-€5k is €400, and that's only available to a higher rate taxpayer.

His focus needs to be on sustainable modes of travel, and EVs aren't sustainable.

His focus is on public transport not cars.

If people must have cars then electric cars are far cleaner than ICE cars. They certainly don't have "huge" environmental cost vs ICE. Batteries are easily recyclable and are recycled.

Electric cars use regenerative breaking so use considerably less brake pad wear. Most electric cars use low resistance tyres minimising wear.

Are you suggesting subsidising e-bikes at the same rate as cars is not insane? People can have both a car and a e-bike (and a regular bicycle) as they have, you know what, completely different use cases and price points.

Tax breaks are tax breaks and this is the way they all work. The higher rate starts at a very low €35,300. But sure make a case it should be a fixed grant (and you need to propose a way to stop that being abused given you've not really thought through any of your other policy suggestions).

His focus is on sustainable modes of travel. https://www.greenparty.ie/green-party-launches-transport-policy/

When you create a post where literally every sentence is wrong or deeply misleading yet finding out the honest answers is easy... I have to wonder... why do you seem to need to "invent" things to critique Eamonn Ryan. plenty of reasonable things to critique both him and the green party.

lalababa · 28-06-2020 1:35pm

I think his overall transport strategy would be the green party policy. ðŸ™„
What was it again..??? Hmmmh oh yeah: improve public transport and cut emissions in both public and private transport. Plan for better commute experiences.
Gee whiz .. the man is obviously off his little pee sized fairy brained rocker if he thinks I'm gonna give up driving my 2 liter diesel SUV for two hours every morning and evening. F**k him and the bicycle he rode in on.

bazz26 · 28-06-2020 1:37pm

This is a marriage of convenience by the big two just to keep the status quo, nothing more and won't last the 5 years imo. With Ryan it's all about his big ego, loves being photographed/filmed by the media cycling his bike into the Dail. Eventually when the honeymoon is over and opinion polls/local election results reflect disapproval with government policy, you will see the cracks starting to form. Small parties that get into bed with the devil normally come out of government desecrated, the Greens will be no different when the inevitable time comes.

Jizique · 28-06-2020 1:38pm

bazz26 wrote: »

This is a marriage of convenience by the big two just to keep the status quo, nothing more and won't last the 5 years imo. With Ryan it's all about his big ego, loves being photographed/filmed by the media cycling his bike into the Dail. Eventually when the honeymoon is over and opinion polls/local election results reflect disapproval with government policy, you will see the cracks starting to form. Small parties that get into bed with the devil normally come out of government desecrated, the Greens will be no different when the inevitable time comes.

First task needs to be legalizing scooters, shouldn’t take long

tayto lover · 28-06-2020 1:39pm

We’ll be travelling everywhere by balloon soon.
Putting a lunatic in charge of the asylum never works.

micosoft · 28-06-2020 1:40pm

screamer wrote: »

I think electric cars are morally bankrupt when you see how and by whom the battery materials are extracted from the earth. These are also finite resources, so no better than oil being honest. I expect to see all kinds of stupid taxes and crazy suggestions for transport.

Actually it is dishonest by any metric to say electric vehicles are "no better than oil". At least half carbon lifetime usage. What type of moral bankrupt thinks potentially halving transportation greenhouse emissions is a bad thing?

I'm not sure why you only focus on car batteries around ethical use of raw materials. The Amnesty paper has been helpful in driving better behavior... no more so than the battery that probably drives the device you typed the above on.

tayto lover · 28-06-2020 1:41pm

Jizique wrote: »

First task needs to be legalizing scooters, shouldn’t take long

They will definitely tax electric scooters.
Money grabbing shower will always have greed ahead of the environment.

Marcusm · 28-06-2020 1:45pm

Jizique wrote: »

First task needs to be legalizing scooters, shouldn’t take long

Even the UK, after an extensive study, has decided that they need to run a 12 month trial in an e-scooter sharing service before they will even consider permitting e-scooters privately. That’s with a much better infrastructure set up.

I wouldn’t hold my breath here unless you can find a way to deal with licensing and insurance effectively.

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 1:45pm

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Electric scooters and bikes will be legal, were going to end up with better public transport, EV car grants will be seriously reduced I expect the SEAI 5k grant to be scrapped shortly he's already said he's not in favor of it there's better uses for the money.
I think he'll be good especially for a pretty much non existent public transport service, hopefully it's not all about Dublin.

Petrol Kona starts at 22 k electric one is 38 k ,worldwide recession imminent , car sales will plummet as people avoid debt as job security disappears and wages driven down

Rows Grower · 28-06-2020 1:49pm

Minister for Transport is a job with a lot of responsibilities, it's far too serious a job to be given to Eamon Ryan.

The clown can't even remember to wear a helmet when he cycles to the Dáil knowing full well the TV cameras are waiting there.

I honestly think he won't be able to see his term of office through, he doesn't strike me as having the mental strength the job is going to demand.

micosoft · 28-06-2020 1:50pm

RandomViewer wrote: »

Grid struggling with demand, add in a few thousand electric cars charging at 4 kw an hour ,Brown out every few weeks. Infrastructure isn't there

Again, where did you make up that the grid is struggling with demand?
When did demand last outstrip supply? When was the last brownout?

Or did you just made this up? It's not like the data is not all available in real time.

Ireland has one of the most modern and well built grids in Europe (a very high water mark). Most EV demand is overnight when the grid has an excess of renewables and cars are parked up charging as they typically get used during the day. Smart Meters are allowing for variable charging and will be complete by 2024.

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 1:50pm

Marcusm wrote: »

Even the UK, after an extensive study, has decided that they need to run a 12 month trial in an e-scooter sharing service before they will even consider permitting e-scooters privately. That’s with a much better infrastructure set up.

I wouldn’t hold my breath here unless you can find a way to deal with licensing and insurance effectively.

Think they'll only allow insurance for damage, there will be no personal injury claims .It's the only way it could be practical. Can see cyclists having to have third party insurance,

terryduff12 · 28-06-2020 1:52pm

That n word rolls off the tongue pretty easy for him. Better get the window sill clear for the lettuce and get used to traveling anywhere in the village car.

lalababa · 28-06-2020 2:00pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

Minister for Transport is a job with a lot of responsibilities, it's far too serious a job to be given to Eamon Ryan.

The clown can't even remember to wear a helmet when he cycles to the Dáil knowing full well the TV cameras are waiting there.

I honestly think he won't be able to see his term of office through, he doesn't strike me as having the mental strength the job is going to demand.

I despair. I don't think a qualified phycologist would last long making those leaps of the imagination.
I'm out of this thread.. it's not a serious thread... it's mainly green bashing.

MrMusician18 · 28-06-2020 2:01pm

Marcusm wrote: »

Even the UK, after an extensive study, has decided that they need to run a 12 month trial in an e-scooter sharing service before they will even consider permitting e-scooters privately. That’s with a much better infrastructure set up.

I wouldn’t hold my breath here unless you can find a way to deal with licensing and insurance effectively.

Couldn't they do it the same as they do in Germany? Pedestrians have third party private liability insurance - if they do something that causes a RTA, they will be personally liable.

Lundstram · 28-06-2020 2:02pm

Tax cyclists. They use the road, cause traffic disruption and get the same benefits as cars.

€100 per year flat tax. Subject them to the same punishments as motorists if caught without.

28-06-2020 2:04pm

Lundstram wrote: »

Tax cyclists. They use the road, cause traffic disruption and get the same benefits as cars.

€100 per year flat tax. Subject them to the same punishments as motorists if caught without.

You can't punish people for using a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

TrailerBob · 28-06-2020 2:05pm

micosoft wrote: »

Again, where did you make up that the grid is struggling with demand?
When did demand last outstrip supply? When was the last brownout?

Or did you just made this up? It's not like the data is not all available in real time.

Ireland has one of the most modern and well built grids in Europe (a very high water mark). Most EV demand is overnight when the grid has an excess of renewables and cars are parked up charging as they typically get used during the day. Smart Meters are allowing for variable charging and will be complete by 2024.

There's a Gas and steam power station in Huntstown near the airport that is running at 20% of it's capacity of 700mw a lot of the time, and at other times it's simply keeping the generator spinning so that if there's a peak in demand, it can kick in and supply. There is no shortage of generating power here. My oul fella was a controller there until his retirement last year.

As for Eamon Ryan, my biggest issue is how his policies will disproportionately affect rural areas. He might not like that we are still totally dependant on cars, but that's how it is. I can't afford an EV yet, so why increase my fuel bill making that change even more difficult..

Lundstram · 28-06-2020 2:07pm

Deleted User wrote: »

You can't punish people for using a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

But you're happy to punish rural dwellers who have no alternative to get to work?

Cyclists use roads like motorists, let them pay for it too.

KaneToad · 28-06-2020 2:11pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

.

The clown can't even remember to wear a helmet when he cycles to the Dáil knowing full well the TV cameras are waiting there.

Why should he wear a helmet? It's not a legal requirement and research is mixed about their efficacy. It's usually non-cyclists who insist cyclists should always wear helmets and always use cycle lanes.

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 2:12pm

micosoft wrote: »

Again, where did you make up that the grid is struggling with demand?
When did demand last outstrip supply? When was the last brownout?

Or did you just made this up? It's not like the data is not all available in real time.

Ireland has one of the most modern and well built grids in Europe (a very high water mark). Most EV demand is overnight when the grid has an excess of renewables and cars are parked up charging as they typically get used during the day. Smart Meters are allowing for variable charging and will be complete by 2024.

Power goes off for a few minutes every fortnight or so , have had three or four hour long outages this year, last major upgrade of poles ,transformers was 2004-5 ,

TrailerBob · 28-06-2020 2:17pm

RandomViewer wrote: »

Power goes off for a few minutes every fortnight or so , have had three or four hour long outages this year, last major upgrade of poles ,transformers was 2004-5 ,

Whereabouts in the country is this, and have you been on Joe Duffy about it yet?

MrMusician18 · 28-06-2020 2:18pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You can't punish people for using a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

Why not? They are using the same infrastructure so shouldn't they help pay for it? We pay to use the bus.

I'd be more inclined to change the rules that where a cyclist or pedestrian does something dangerous that unlimited liability will fall on them personally - rather than the car drivers insurance shouldering the cost all the time. So stumble out drunkenly onto a road and get struck? Yeah the pedestrian should pay at least part for the replacement bumper, where their negligence was a partial cause of the accident.

punisher5112 · 28-06-2020 2:20pm

Everyone should have their own insurance.

Seth Brundle · 28-06-2020 2:20pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

The clown can't even remember to wear a helmet when he cycles to the Dáil knowing full well the TV cameras are waiting there.

You're really going to criticise him for that?
Imagine if he actually did something wrong or even broke the law?

KaneToad · 28-06-2020 2:21pm

Lundstram wrote: »

But you're happy to punish rural dwellers who have no alternative to get to work?

You don't have to be rural to need a car to go to work. Someone living in Trim (approx 10,000 pop) and working in Mullingar (approx 20,000 pop) would be finding it hard to get an alternative to a 46km/40 min drive in their own car.

Seth Brundle · 28-06-2020 2:24pm

Lundstram wrote: »

Tax cyclists. They use the road, cause traffic disruption and get the same benefits as cars.

€100 per year flat tax. Subject them to the same punishments as motorists if caught without.

I already pay motor tax as do most cyclists. Are you saying that I should pay twice?
Also how woukd motor tax work for a cyclist given that they don't have an engine?
What about the fact that motor tax is based on emissions?

Lundstram wrote: »

But you're happy to punish rural dwellers who have no alternative to get to work?

Cyclists use roads like motorists, let them pay for it too.

As per my points above, your comment shows it's absurdity! :rolleyes:

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 2:24pm

TrailerBob wrote: »

Whereabouts in the country is this, and have you been on Joe Duffy about it yet?

Donegal, don't listen to RTE radio,

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 2:26pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

I already pay motor tax as do most cyclists. Are you saying that I should pay twice?
Also how woukd motor tax work for a cyclist given that they don't have an engine?
What about the fact that motor tax is based on emissions?

As per my points above, your comment shows it's absurdity! :rolleyes:

If I buy a second or third vehicle I have to tax/insure that, if you can afford a 3k bike a bit of insurance would make sense

Markcheese · 28-06-2020 2:28pm

RandomViewer wrote: »

Petrol Kona starts at 22 k electric one is 38 k ,worldwide recession imminent , car sales will plummet as people avoid debt as job security disappears and wages driven down

I wouldn't worry too much , in 08 we changed to a co2 based system ,and people bought more expensive diesels to save on road tax , I'm sure I remember a minor financial wobble in 08.
Yes electric cars are overpriced at the moment ,it's supply and demand, but a world recession will help bring prices down ...

Lundstram · 28-06-2020 2:29pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

I already pay motor tax as do most cyclists. Are you saying that I should pay twice?
Also how woukd motor tax work for a cyclist given that they don't have an engine?
What about the fact that motor tax is based on emissions?

As per my points above, your comment shows it's absurdity! :rolleyes:

I have two cars and have to tax them both so your first point is bullsh*t.

Your second point; you need to learn to read posts you reply to. I said a flat tax of €100 per year, I never mentioned engine emissions. "bike tax", if it has two wheels and no engine, and uses public roads, tax it. Let them pay for their cycle lanes that they refuse to use.

Why should people who don't cycle pay for cycle lanes?

Truthvader · 28-06-2020 2:29pm

If it moves tax it; if it stops clamp it

bazz26 · 28-06-2020 2:33pm

Markcheese wrote: »

I wouldn't worry too much , in 08 we changed to a co2 based system ,and people bought more expensive diesels to save on road tax , I'm sure I remember a minor financial wobble in 08.
Yes electric cars are overpriced at the moment ,it's supply and demand, but a world recession will help bring prices down ...

In 2008 the co2 based system effected VRT brackets also which made the price of diesel cars along closer to the price of petrol cars. It wasn't just motor tax.

Also a world recession might help bring prices of EV down but it will also mean less people buying if they are out of work.

Jizique · 28-06-2020 2:36pm

Marcusm wrote: »

Even the UK, after an extensive study, has decided that they need to run a 12 month trial in an e-scooter sharing service before they will even consider permitting e-scooters privately. That’s with a much better infrastructure set up.

I wouldn’t hold my breath here unless you can find a way to deal with licensing and insurance effectively.

No need; personal responsibility, helmet required, 20km/h top speed, plenty of experience in other European cities like Berlin and Frankfurt where plenty of besuited businessmen use them as part of a commute

New Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan

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