Vol. 323 No. 3
asked the Minister for Energy if his Department, or consultants employed by his Department, have made any projections regarding the probable increase in energy costs for the provision of transport in the Dublin region; and if a split has been made between the costs in terms of imported energy for private transport and public transport; and the number of personnel who can be carried by both modes of transport.
19.
asked the Minister for Energy if his Department, or consultants employed by his Department, have evaluated the benefits in terms of energy consumption of the public transport system in the Dublin region; if so, if they are in a position to make recommendations to the task force established by the Minister for Transport on the provision of public transport services in Dublin regarding the improvement and development of public transport facilities in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
: With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
There have been no evaluations undertaken in my Department or by consultants employed by my Department of the nature referred to by the Deputy.
The Transport Consultative Commission on Passenger Transport Services in the Dublin area which presented its report to the Minister for Transport in March 1980 paid special attention to energy matters (chapter 6 of the report) and these recommendations are being followed up with the task force established by the Minister for Transport following the publication of the consultative commission's report. The report in question gives information on the comparative efficiencies in energy terms of public versus private transport. For example, tables are included giving the primary energy consumed in transport by vehicle type and the energy consumption per passenger/kilometre for the various means of transportation.
The commission considered that the most effective conservation measures would be those aimed at achieving:
(a) a greater utilisation and increased efficiency of public transport.
(b) a reduced but more effective use of private cars.
(c) improved traffic flow through better traffic management.
The commission's report outlined a traffic management strategy aimed to bring about a reduction in traffic congestion, particularly at peak hours, between now and 1983. The essence of the strategy was a transfer of commuters from cars to buses by a combination of a revised parking policy, and a radically improved bus service.
I am very conscious of the energy conservation potential of an efficient public transport system and my Department will be giving attention to this. While the problems are fairly readily identifiable, the solutions are extremely complex and in general lie outside the area of responsibility of my Department.
: I see the complexity of these problems and that almost any move that one would make in this direction is going to cause annoyance among motorists but is there not much to be said for experiment? Would the Minister agree that an experiment for a month or two would not kill anybody and might well be undertaken in regard to enforcing economy by one means or another in the use of private cars and the use of petrol and a concomitant improvement and better punctuality of public transport? Will he consult with whoever other colleagues of his are relevant in this matter to make sure that this can be brought about?
: The Deputy will be aware that certain experiments are going on and there may well be further ones in the future, but this is primarily a matter for the Minister for Transport. As I have indicated, my Department are dealing with the task force set up by the Minister for Transport which is concerned principally with implementing strategy for the purpose I have outlined. One of the consequences of this certainly would be energy conservation with which I am concerned, For that reason I am working with that task force but it is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Transport.
: I appreciate the Minister's reply and the way in which he has dealt with this matter generally. I have one question on the matter of divided responsibility. Could the Minister give us any indication as to whether he would be in a position to influence whatever Government decision is made by the Department of Transport and the relevant Minister on the question of a public transport system for Dublin having regard to the very major energy implications of whatever choice is made?
: The Deputy can take it that the decision which would be involved would be a major one and would be a matter for the Government. Of course, one of the very major factors involved in that decision would be the energy aspect of it. The Deputy can rest assured that adequate weight will be given by the Government to the energy aspect, which of course is only one of the aspects involved.
