asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will consider an extension of daylight saving hours during the coming winter in order to conserve power and energy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Energy Conservation.
24.
Among a number of suggestions which are under consideration by the Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation set up by me is one relating to the extension of standard time. While the committee has not yet made a firm recommendation in this matter, I understand that the estimate of savings which would result from a prolongation of summertime throughout the full year is less than 0.08 per cent of our annual oil consumption.
Of the EEC member States, only Ireland, Italy and the UK have summer time. France has proposed that, with a view to saving energy, the other States should introduce summer time. The proposal has not yet been discussed.
In the final analysis, it is a matter for the Minister for Justice to decide on the extension of summer time. Any recommendation which I might make to him to extend standard time, based on energy conservation considerations, would take cognisance of the EEC position. There would, of course, be a number of other considerations to be taken into account before a final decision could be made.