Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

John Bruton

Question:

67 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the name of the consultants employed to evaluate the scope for intensifying measures to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the cost of this consultancy study; the entities being consulted in the course of the study; when the study will be completed; the terms of reference of the study; and whether the study will contain precise recommendations for policy action. [6692/98]

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

My Department and the Department of Public Enterprise jointly commissioned the study, costing £119,730 including VAT, from a consortium led by Environmental Resources Management (UK), and including the Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin, and Byrne Ó Cléirigh, Dublin. While the Departments facilitated the consultants with a list of entities, including Government Departments, semi-State bodies, non-Governmental and other relevant organisations, for consultation purposes, decisions in this regard were a matter for the consultants.

The terms of reference required that the study: (a) assess and quantify the scope for limiting and/or reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland in the periods up to 2005, 2010 and 2020; (b) assess and evaluate the scope for the intensification of existing policies and measures contributing to the containment of greenhouse gas emissions; (c) identify, assess and evaluate possible additional policies and measures to contain greenhouse gas emissions, including in so far as possible and appropriate indicative cost/benefit information in respect of each of the policies and measures identified; (d) analyse possibilities for a suitable mix of measures for the containment of greenhouse gas emissions; (e) conduct (a) to (d) above for at least the six sectors listed below, while having regard, in particular, to their energy intensity, cross-sectoral and multi-sectoral implications, potential for demand management and fuel switching towards less CO 2 intensive fuel: energy, industry, transport, residential, commercial, agriculture, and assess the potential for Ireland to implement policies and measures jointly with other parties.

The consultancy study was completed on 1 May 1998 and will be published very shortly. It outlines a range of policy options and strategies as a basis for consultation and decision making in regard to greenhouse gas abatement action.