Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Roche recently signed a contract for carbon allowances worth €20 million with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development following the approval of the Dáil on 30 November. The Government has approved the publication of the carbon fund Bill and intends to introduce it to the Oireachtas next week.

This is only part of our approach to climate change. We are also committed to large reductions in our domestic emissions. To that end my Department will examine the motor taxation system with a view to bringing it more into line with environmental policy objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We also aim to provide a further incentive to the motoring public to drive cleaner cars and this will most likely impose an additional cost to those who drive higher emission vehicles, and justifiably so.

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