Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I am anxious that the Minister would pursue direct Government action. However, the action taken to date does not inspire confidence, with only 700,000 tonnes of a reduction out of a 7 million target. The Minister's initiative on light bulbs seems to have gone from the radar and has been brought into the context of an EU strategy.

The Minister mentioned transport. How does he reconcile what he has just said about a sustainable transport plan with the massive number of buses to be taken off the road in Dublin by Dublin Bus? This is happening in a city that has few alternative options for people other than car use. If we are anxious to obtain a reduction in car transport, the policy pursued by the Government of removing buses out of circulation will result in more people driving their cars rather than less.

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