asked the Minister for Transport and Power the precise regulations, if any, which the Government have put into effect in Departments of State and State-sponsored bodies to conserve energy.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Energy Conservation Regulations.
24.
The conservation of energy in Government Departments and State-sponsored bodies is being pursued by way of instructions and advice rather than by means of statutory regulations. All Departments and agencies are co-operating in this campaign. The particular measures adopted in each case vary according to the nature of the operations of the particular body concerned and I can mention only a sample of the measures being applied.
The Office of Public Works have issued a circular to all Departments stressing the need for the strictest economy in the use of all fuels and setting out various fuel economy measures to be adopted in all offices. These cover heating, ventilation, lighting, office layout, office machines, cooking appliances in canteens, the programming of office cleaning and so on. Temperatures in Government offices are maintained as far as possible between 65º and 68º Fahrenheit.
In the case of staff travelling on official business, economies are pursued through the use of public transport where possible and through the elimination of overlapping of journeys.
The State bodies providing public transport services have taken special measures to achieve economies in fuel through improved vehicle maintenance and through the adoption of more economic operating procedures.
On a more general plane, I have established an advisory committee on energy conservation representative of the Government Departments and State bodies concerned with energy matters. The function of this committee is to advise on the measures to be adopted to conserve energy generally and for that purpose it is reviewing all sectors including industrial, domestic, transport and commercial. There are already in operation various financial incentives and advisory services to assist industrial enterprises in conserving energy and I am at present preparing a promotional campaign to advise house-holders on the best ways of saving energy in the home. It is my intention to seek to promote by all appropriate means a climate of public opinion which will frown on energy waste in any form, whether in the public or private sector.