Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2009
15 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport the action he has taken to compel CIE to implement the 2007 direction to use 5% biodiesel in its fleets and 30% for newly acquired vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28534/09]
View answer18 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken to encourage greater use of renewable energy in public transport fleets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25187/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 18 together.
A number of initiatives have taken place in relation to Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to ensure more sustainable fleets in these organisations.
Iarnród Éireann, for example, have in the past two years re-instated regenerative braking on all DART electrical fleets giving energy savings of 26%. Iarnród Éireann have also fitted fuel shut-down modifications to much of the diesel fleet saving 3.5 million litres of diesel per annum. The significant renewal of engines and carriages funded under Transport 21 has resulted in more fuel-efficient trains, which also generate less greenhouse gas emissions. There will be further significant improvements with the electrification of the Kildare and Maynooth commuter lines.
Both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have also benefited from Transport 21 support and the new fleet of buses provided since 2006 have Euro 4 engines with selective catalytic reduction for lower emissions. Both companies have been using biodiesel in their tour fleets since 2006. In addition, I have provided funding for Ireland's first hybrid electric bus, which is being trialed by Dublin Bus at the moment.
The diesel used in all the public transport fleets meets the EN 590 European standard for fuel, which has to contain up to 5% biofuel. The commitment in the Programme for Government relating to biofuels has, however, been superseded by the more ambitious targets for transport as set out in the Government's Smarter Travel policy which I launched February, 2009.
Specifically, in relation to public transport fleets Smarter Travel proposes that all public transport providers will prepare a plan for fleet replacement based on the most sustainable vehicle and fuel type.
The actions in Smarter Travel are to be implemented over a twelve-year period. In relation to new technology the immediate focus of Government policy is to prepare a plan to deliver the 10% target for electric vehicles by 2020. On biofuels, Smarter Travel refers to the proposed biofuels obligation, which will apply to all transport fleets and which is being addressed by my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
