Ireland's parliament buildings have made the switch to greener motoring with the installation of a new electric vehicle charging point.

The government is currently offering €5,000 towards the purchase of a new electric car. If you're self-employed, the first €25,000 can be written off against tax, and if you're an employee with a fleet car there's no Benefit in Kind.

Welcoming the progress, Fine Gael Senator James Reilly said: "I recently purchased a new electric vehicle and I'm delighted there is now a designated charging point in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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"This is the way forward for transport because there are no emissions, so we're really doing our part to help try to counteract climate change."

Senator Reilly is also calling on the government to increase the number of charging points nationwide and introduce an innovative electric vehicle charging system connected to the county's public lighting system.

He continued: "Fingal Co Council in Dublin Fingal Constituency has a pilot scheme using an electric light pole near its HQ in Chapel Lane Swords and also at a location in Howth. This pilot scheme has won an award at the National Co Council LAMA awards.

"It has huge potential to provide easily accessible charging points using an existing network without engaging in any heavy engineering works like digging up concrete, installing power lines etc.

"We need to make it easy for people to do the right thing and ease of access to many charging points, along with very attractive Government financial incentives, will go a long way to accomplishing that goal."

(CM/JG)