Diplomatic car fleet to go green
Ireland’s diplomats overseas could be trading in their gas-guzzling embassy cars for greener alternatives, it was revealed today.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said that with a growing number of hybrid and environmentally friendly vehicles on the roads, it was time for an overhaul of the department’s fleet.
The Co Louth native, who recently installed solar panels and a wood pellet stove at his home near Dundalk, said he has asked the country’s missions abroad to look into how the new cars could be rolled out.
“Since the beginning of 2006, my department has taken carbon emissions into account when purchasing vehicles,” he said.
“I believe, however, the time is right to take this a step further.
“In this day and age there is a much greater availability of suitable vehicles for our 76 embassies and consulates abroad.
“Most of these vehicles are replaced every four years so my hope would be that in the coming years we will witness the greening of our official fleet of vehicles,” he said.
Last October, Green Party Ministers John Gormley and Eamon Ryan were accused by the Opposition of scrapping a promise to get rid of gas-guzzling ministerial Mercs.
When in opposition the Greens called on the Government to switch the ministerial fleet of Mercedes to biofuel immediately.
The Green ministers drive Toyota Prius cars, powered by a hybrid petrol/electric engine, and some ministers drive hybrid Lexus cars.
