Vol. 429 No. 1
30 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that Ireland meets its obligations under EC directives in relation to monitoring carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
41 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any plans to implement a strategy to stabilise CO 2 emissions in view of the EC strategy to stabilise these emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 41 together.
Agreement was reached at the EC Environment Council of 22-23 March 1993 on a Council decision for a monitoring mechanism of Community CO 2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. While no formal CO 2 monitoring obligations exist pending the adoption of this decision, Ireland in common with other member states has already submitted a national CO 2 strategy to the EC Commission; I intend to publish this shortly.
EC policy is to stabilise CO 2 emissions on an overall Community basis. It recognises that countries such as Ireland with, as yet, relatively low energy requirements which can be expected to grow in step with their development, may need targets and strategies which can accommodate that development, while improving the energy efficiency of their economic activities.
