Climate Change Strategy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004

Thursday, 9 December 2004

Questions (40, 41, 42)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

28 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the review of the national climate change strategy being undertaken by his Department is re-examining the case for the introduction of carbon taxes. [32746/04]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

85 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether Ireland is on track with the goals set under the Kyoto agreement. [32800/04]

Willie Penrose

Question:

88 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent comments by a person (details supplied) that alternative measures will have to be introduced to compensate for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that would have followed the introduction of a carbon tax; the proposals he is considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32689/04]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 85 and 88 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 28, 56 and 60 of Thursday, 30 September, and to Question No. 16 of Thursday, 4 November.

Following the Government decision that a carbon tax would not be an appropriate policy option for the purpose of achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions, alternative policy options are being examined. This examination is focusing on non-tax measures in the national climate change strategy, with a view to achieving the necessary emissions reductions and ensuring compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. The ongoing work on the review of the national climate change strategy does not include a re-examination of carbon tax as a policy option.

Significant progress is being made towards achieving our Kyoto Protocol target to limit emissions of greenhouse gases to 13% above 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012. Preliminary figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency in July 2004 indicate emissions in 2003 were down to 24.7% above 1990 levels, down from 29% in 2002 and 31% in 2001.