Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 April 2008
409 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the majority of CFL lightbulbs on sale in the EU and in Ireland are imported from China and, this being the case, if he still plans to ban all traditional lightbulbs from sale here from January 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15140/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the commitment in the Programme for Government to phase out incandescent light bulbs, I propose to introduce an energy efficiency standard from 1 January 2009. My Department is currently developing the proposed standard and I will announce details as soon as they are finalised. It will then be a matter for manufacturers and importers to respond with products that meet the new requirements from the beginning of next year. From discussions with the lighting sector, I do not expect their response to be limited to compact fluorescent lamps and I do not intend to seek such a response.
