Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1998

Vol. 495 No. 7

Written Answers. - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

188 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that each individual power generating station in operation meets the environmental requirements inherent in Ireland's legally binding commitments under the Kyoto Protocol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21336/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Existing thermal electricity generating plants in Ireland use a broad mix of fuels including gas, oil, coal and peat.

Under the Kyoto Protocol the European Community as a whole has agreed to reduce emissions of six main greenhouse gases by 8 per cent below 1990 levels in the period 2008 to 2012. Within this overall EU reduction target, Ireland's target is to limit the increase in emissions of greenhouse gases to 13 per cent above 1990 levels in the same period. The Kyoto obligations as they relate to electricity refer primarily to emmissions of carbon dioxide, CO2, and sulphur hexafluoride SF6.

The Departments of Public Enterprise and Environment and Local Government jointly commissioned a report on "The Limitation and Reduction of CO2 and other Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ireland" in the course of developing a national strategy to meet Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol. The report was published in June and consultations with all interested parties were invited. A one day discussion forum on the development of a national greenhouse gas abatement strategy was held on 28 October and work on the preparation of a strategy for Government approval is now progressing.

In finalising a national strategy, the Government will seek to ensure that the burden of meeting Ireland's Kyoto commitments are shared equitably across all economic sectors, including transport, agriculture, industry and energy.

ESB has met its environmental commitments in the past. It will work in co-ordination with other generators entering the new electricity market so as to continue to meet all relevant environmental obligations in particular through a combination of switching to less carbon intensive fossil fuels, the continued development of renewable energy, supply side efficiency improvements, and demand side management measures.