Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

45 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the specific initiatives he has taken to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction targets set for Ireland; the estimated cost of these initiatives; whether a Cabinet committee exists to drive this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10531/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Within the framework of the European Union's overall goal of stabilising its carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions as a whole at 1990 levels by the year 2000, and in the context of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ireland has set itself the objective of limiting the increase in its CO 2 emissions to 20 per cent above 1990 levels by the year 2000. With regard to the emissions reduction target for member states of the EU, arising from the Kyoto Protocol, I refer to the reply to Question No. 3 of 5 March 1998. Internal burden sharing within the EU will be discussed at the EU Council of Environment Ministers meeting in June 1998.

Details of the policies and measures in place to limit and-or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and their costs where available, are set out in Chapter 5 of Ireland's Second National Communication under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

I have now received the completed report of a consultancy study commissioned by my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise to identify additional policies and measures to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the scope for the intensification of existing policies and measures. The study, which will be published very shortly, includes estimates of the emissions savings and costs associated with measures identified, and it will form a basis for consultation and decision making in regard to greenhouse gas abatement action. At EU level, consideration is also being given to the adoption of common and co-ordinated policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While there is no Cabinet committee on greenhouse gases, appropriate contact is being maintained at ministerial and official level, and the above mentioned study will facilitate wideranging sectoral and Oireachtas input to the consultative process.