Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007
218 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of energy used running his Department in the year 2002; the cost of doing so in 2006; the quantity of energy used in each of these years to which this cost relates; and his plans to reduce this usage as a contribution to meeting concerns regarding climate change. [9827/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the cost of energy supplied to my Department's offices in 2002 amounted to €319,405. The cost for the year 2006 was €556,596. Data in relation to the quantity of energy supplied is not readily available, however, the Deputy should note that my Department has moved offices since 2002 and has in fact acquired additional accommodation to meet new service delivery needs, notably in the field of immigration. As such a straightforward comparison of energy use between the two years is not feasible.
I can further inform the Deputy that having recently completed its building moves, my Department intends, with the assistance of the Office of Public Works, to carry out an audit of energy use, in line with best practice. Standard and common-sense energy efficiency measures are currently applied in any event.
