asked the Minister for Energy if any standards exist in Ireland regarding the energy efficiency of motor cars for sale; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Cars Energy Efficiency.
36.
There are at present no standards in Ireland regarding energy efficiency of motor cars for sale. Since motor car engines are as a rule not manufactured here I am not convinced that it would be appropriate or justified in practical terms to prescribe statutory national standards and to set up the kind of testing and surveillance mechanisms which would be necessary to enforce such standards. I would of course support the adoption of such standards on an international basis.
What I am considering is the question of requiring the publication or display in some appropriate form of details of fuel consumption by different car models under various conditions. This would enable prospective customers to take account of economy performance in deciding on the make or model of car they will purchase. Information of this kind is in very many cases at present given in the publicity literature available to prospective customers and sometimes it is featured in media advertisements for particular vehicles. I am, however, considering whether it would be desirable to require that the information be made available in all cases and exactly how it should be presented and publicised.
In respect of the information which the Minister proposes to require to be published, can he say if statutory power is vested in him to introduce such requirements and if not if he would consider using the powers vested in the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism under the Consumer Information Act, to require such information to be displayed?
I am not certain at the moment whether the power is vested in me to make such regulations but if I do not have that power, the gap can be filled. I am more concerned with what kind of information should be insisted on and whether it is feasible to get this across in a practical way. If that can be fixed we could find the mechanism for putting it into effect without too much difficulty.
A final, very brief, supplementary question.
Is the Minister aware that the United States have introduced standards for the energy efficiency of motor cars?
The Deputy will appreciate, as I touched on in my reply, that motor car engines are not made here. It is really very doubtful whether, in practical terms, there is any point in our laying down specifications of that kind and setting up the test mechanism and so on that would be necessary in our circumstances. That is why I am talking about something else altogether. I do not think that the question of engine efficiency tests is one which is appropriate in our present circumstances.