Motors & Me: Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence

What are you currently driving?

Mitsubishi PHEV Outlander Jeep.

Love at first sight, or just a means to get from A to B?

Driving an electric car is particularly important to me — it’s great for the environment, for sustainable energy management, and for my lifestyle. The technology has advanced so much now, and there is an option for every type of driver.

What’s under the bonnet?

It’s a Hybrid Jeep. It has 60kW electric motors located on the front and rear axles. It is a hybrid, so a petrol engine kicks in after 100km or so, which is ideal when I am driving long distances.

Petrolhead or Sunday driver?

Somewhere between the two. I’ve always had an interest in cars — particularly EVs in the last few years.

What was your first car?

A white Peugeot 205 was my first car; I had a Yamaha motorbike before that.

What else do/did you own?

I’ve had a mix of cars, ranging from a Fiat to a Volvo.

Dream drive in dream location?

Dream drive is, without a doubt, Sheep’s head in West Cork. The scenery and the amazing variety of driving routes, from seascape to mountain ranges, are special. I’d love to give the new electric BMW i8 a spin (not likely anytime soon, though.)

Passenger you’d most like on a long journey?

Graham Norton — a fellow Corkman, a genuinely nice guy and, no doubt, it would be a fun journey!

Passenger you’d least like?

Kim Jong-un.

What’s on your playlist?

U2’s new album; I have really enjoyed it. Also, Hozier’s new album.