John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The Deputy will be aware there is a separate question in regard to the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs, which will lead to a saving of approximately 700,000 tonnes per annum. The other measures are ones I have announced, including with regard to greater energy efficiency in housing, which will lead to 40% greater energy efficiency and a saving of 40% in CO2 emissions.

Reference was made to the question of more sustainable transport. As I said on the day, as I am quite open about this, we in the House face an uphill battle with regard to transport. Deputy Barrett, who is Chair of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, was with me in Bali. I want to work with him and the committee because we can only achieve these deep emissions cuts by working together. A 3% annual reductions target is hugely ambitious but if one considers the fact that transport has increased by approximately 180% since 1990, and a figure I saw just today suggests it may increase to as much as 256% by 2020, it will be understood that we have real difficulties. The carbon budget is a start but we must move from there and work with the joint committee, not just on targets but on measures. The introduction of a carbon levy is vital.

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