Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

A number of measures relating to transport are included in the climate change strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include rebalancing of motor taxes, mineral oil tax relief for biofuels, a modal shift through Transport 21 and the achievement of a 5.75% biofuels blend in fuels by 2010. In all, the transport sector will provide up to 13% in total national emission savings under that strategy. Further details of the strategy are available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at www.environ.ie.

Meanwhile, the Government is committed to delivering a sustainable travel and transport action plan this year and I hope to initiate an intensive public consultation process on the issues in the near future. The question of emissions reduction for transport will be explored in more detail during that process.

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