Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am implementing a number of policies and measures that will deliver a sustainable transport system, including the provision of supply-side infrastructure and demand-side management measures to reduce congestion and support a modal shift from private to public transport. This will allow the economy to maintain economic competitiveness by removing infrastructural bottlenecks, while increasing social cohesion and reducing environmental impacts.

Transport 21, a €34 billion capital investment framework for the period 2006-15, will promote the modal shift from private cars to public transport through the significant rebalancing of investment in favour of the latter. A total of €18.5 billion will be invested in the national roads programme, while €15.8 billion will be provided for public transport projects and regional airports. Funding for a range of sustainable transport initiatives is also provided for under Transport 21, including the dissemination of information on eco-driving and travel blending, as well as support for alternative fuels and technologies for public transport, haulage and taxi fleets.

The completion of projects identified in Transport 21 will, for example, see public transport capacity in the greater Dublin area almost double by 2016. Modelling of the impacts of Transport 21 in that area with the complementary implementation of demand-side management measures shows a reduction of almost 20% in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during rush hour in 2016 compared to a situation without Transport 21.

I have requested my Department to draft a sustainable transport action plan for consultation this year. This will support the Government's revised climate change strategy and energy White Paper due to be published in the coming weeks. The plan will set out a range of measures to assist the transport sector's progress along a more sustainable path and make a critical contribution to reducing emissions in line with Ireland's commitment under the Kyoto Protocol in the period 2008-12 and beyond.

I am working to achieve emissions reductions in the public transport fleet. I have requested CIE to move to using a 5% bio-diesel blend in its current vehicles and to plan for a 30% blend in new vehicles. My Department is also supporting a pilot project in conjunction with the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce to promote the use of 100% pure plant oil, PPO, in heavy goods vehicles and buses. These measures, together with excise relief and obligatory fuel blending by fuel suppliers in 2009, will contribute to achieving the indicative biofuels target of 5.75% of all transport fuels by 2010 as set out in the biofuels directive.

In addition, technological advances within the automotive industry will be important in bringing more fuel efficient vehicles to market. Ireland supports the current proposals to achieve a reduction of average emissions in new passenger cars to 130 grams per kilometre by 2012. Tackling transport emissions will remain a key priority of mine. I will continue to promote measures to ensure the transport sector makes its contribution to reducing national greenhouse gas emissions.

See this speech in context