Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

218 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action, if any, his Department intends to take to meet Ireland's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; the baseline 1990 data; the projected increases in this regard; and the methods chosen to be used in the practice of agriculture. [23356/97]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 244 and 245 of 16 December 1997.

In relation to agriculture, I draw the Deputy's attention to the information concerning policies and measures to limit the emissions of methane (CH 4) and nitrous oxide (N 2O), contained in Ireland's Second National Communication under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Future policy development in relation to climate change, including aspects relating to agriculture, will take into account, inter alia, the Kyoto Protocol, developments at EU level, and the conclusions of a consultancy study now under way in regard to intensified and additional policies and measures to limit or reduce emissions.

John Gormley

Question:

219 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress, if any, which has been made in reaching the UN ECE target emissions ceilings for NO x. [23358/97]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

Under the Sofia Protocol, ratified in 1994, Ireland was required to stabilise NO x emissions at their 1987 level, estimated to be 105,400 tonnes, by the end of 1994. The latest national emission figure was 114,669 tonnes (1996 provisional).

Transport is the largest source of NO x, with vehicles accounting for over 40 per cent of national emissions. The power generation sector is the other major source but the upward trend in emissions in that sector is being addressed by the introduction at all major generating stations of low NO x producing burners. The difficulty to date in meeting Sofia Protocol requirements is significantly attributable to the growth of the transport sector in recent years. However, the impact of successively more stringent vehicle emission controls, notably the fitting of catalytic converters, is expected to bring about significant NO x reductions over time.