Vol. 504 No. 1
53 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to a study carried out in Cardiff measuring levels of energy consumption in 130,000 households, businesses and shops; the plans, if any, she has to introduce a similar study in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11214/99]
The project referred to and which was described in The Irish Times on 14 April, is an initiative being developed by Cardiff University for that city's local authority. I understand that it involves the collection of data on four main energy using sectors namely domestic, non-domestic, industry and transport. This will enable city planners to assess the impact of actions such as grants for the insulation of domestic dwellings on energy use and related emissions. The impact assessment will be carried out using a computer model which when completed will allow city planners to assess the costs and benefits of any planned new initiatives.
I am following such developments which may have application here. In the meantime, there is a number of completed and ongoing studies of energy consumption levels by various agencies in Ireland. I draw your attention to a similar study recently completed by the City of Dublin Energy Management Agency in November 1998, entitled Dublin City Energy Balance. This study is part of CODEMA's objective of identifying the actual energy usage in Dublin city and contributing to the sustainable development of the city through the promotion of increased efficiency. I encourage local authorities and local energy management agencies to undertake such studies to both inform local policy makers and ultimately my own officials in the development of national policy in this area in response to Kyoto and Local Agenda 21 energy issues.
