Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
542 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the studies carried out that show atmospheric change caused by vapour trails from jet planes; his views on the high rate of transatlantic flights over Ireland; if research has been done or will be done on this matter regarding Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17165/04]
View answerI am aware of research and studies in this area, including a special report prepared and published by the intergovernmental panel on climate change in 1999, entitled IPCC Special Report Aviation and Global Atmosphere. The summary for policymakers is available at http://www.ipcc.ch/pub/reports.htm. The panel produced this report following a request from the International Civil Aviation Organisation to assess the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft engines.
The Irish scientific community contributes to the work of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Measurement of cloud cover and solar input are made at both Valentia and Mace Head, County Galway, for scientific and research purposes. The work by the panel informs the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. In this context, Ireland participates in the global United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto process within the EU in the light of the continuing need for further and sustained action across all policy areas to ensure that Kyoto targets are met and further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are made subsequently.
I am satisfied that EU and Government policy should continue to be developed in the context of the analysis and advice provided by the intergovernmental panel on climate change. The special report on aviation and global atmosphere reinforces the necessity for further work to reduce scientific and other uncertainties, understand better the options for reducing emissions, better inform decision makers, and improve the understanding of the social and economic issues associated with the demand for air transport.
I understand that the high rate of transatlantic flights over Ireland is not of special significance in regard to climate change in Ireland, as the effects are primarily global rather than localised.
