John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I refer to the reply to Question No. 1 on today's Order Paper, in which I outlined the range of work under way across all sectors towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the review being undertaken to ensure that emission projections reflect the changing economic circumstances.

The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 sets out the measures on foot of which Ireland will meet its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol. Compliance will be determined on the basis of greenhouse gas emissions over the period. The strategy places a significant emphasis on transport in recognition of the proportion of total emissions attributed to the transport sector. A modal shift to public transport was signalled in the strategy as a key measure in achieving reductions in transport emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions from transport present one of the greatest challenges for many countries, including Ireland. We need to take radical action to turn that situation around and we need to do it quickly. Earlier today, the Minister for Transport published the new strategy entitled Smarter Travel — A Sustainable Transport Future. I welcome the publication of this Government action plan to free our towns and cities from choking traffic congestion, slash CO2 emissions and help car-based commuters to leave their cars at home. The plan represents a radical transformation in transport policy that puts people, rather than vehicles, first and has the potential to fundamentally change how we all travel. It will lead to a more sustainable transport system that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a better quality of life for all.

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