asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, having regard to his recent call for a reduction and avoidance of waste in energy consumption and the large number of street lights which from time to time remain illuminated in urban areas in daylight, if he will address a special appeal to local authorities to ensure that street lights are extinguished during daylight hours.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Street Lights.
12.
I am informed that the percentage of street lighting which remains on during daylight hours is very small. In the case of lights controlled by photo-cell, which accounts for over 80 per cent of public lighting, the mechanism is arranged so that, for safety reasons, the light remains illuminated rather than extinguished in the case of a breakdown. Other lights controlled by time switch can have their timing upset by any electricity outage. In most areas I am informed patrols operate so as to get to each light once in every 14 days. Nevertheless, I am making arrangements to contact those responsible for street lighting to ensure that street lights are extinguished during daylight hours as quickly as possible while bearing in mind the safety aspect.
Indeed, I would like to take this opportunity to urge every energy user, whether in the industrial, commercial, domestic, transport or public sector, to eliminate wasteful uses of energy in all its forms.