Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the figures he used to determine the new minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting that he will introduce in 2009 that will save 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year; the breakdown of the figures used in watts and tonnes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35157/07]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions he has held or is holding with the European Commission on his proposal to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting or a ban of incandescent lightbulbs; and if there are European directives he must comply with to proceed with this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he proposes to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting or a ban of incandescent lightbulbs from January 2009, including the steps he will take and a timetable for these steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35158/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 111 and 116 together.

The potential savings from the introduction of an energy efficiency standard for lighting are based on emissions attributable to lighting in the residential sector. Sustainable Energy Ireland figures indicate that approximately 18%, or 1,323 gigawatt hours, of electricity use in the residential sector was accounted for by domestic lighting in 2004, equivalent to 860,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Given that modern compact fluorescent lamps typically use only 20% of the energy consumption of their incandescent alternatives, this indicates that savings of the order of 700,000 tonnes per annum could be achieved from domestic lighting if incandescent lamps are fully replaced in all domestic light fittings.

To put this into perspective, 700,000 tonnes is equivalent to 1% of annual emissions at present, so it is clear that the proposed measure could make a significant contribution to the Government's target of an annual average reduction of 3% in greenhouse gas emissions. It will also mean very big savings for households, as the longer lifespan and lower running cost of the CFL bulbs far outweigh their higher initial cost.

I intend shortly to establish an interdepartmental group representative of relevant Departments and agencies to advise me on the technical basis on which a standard should be developed, any requirements in EU legislation with which I must comply and the potential impacts of the proposal on specific groups. I intend to consult fully on any proposed standard, including with the European Commission, prior to finalising the measure.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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In regard to the Minister's first point on the savings that will be attained from the introduction of this measure, I had an idea that what he outlined was the way in which he made those calculations. His calculation of the level of savings in tonnage of CO2 emissions from the introduction of this measure are faulty. He made an assumption that 80% of energy generated from incandescent lightbulbs will be wasted, but that is not the case. Much of the 80% of energy that does not generate light generates heat in homes. A change from the use of incandescent bulbs to other types of lightbulbs will reduce the level of heat in homes, and the heating system in homes will have to compensate for that shortfall. For example, a heating system with a thermostat will detect the difference in the level of heat in the home and compensate for any loss by increasing the domestic heating output. This will mean that more energy will be generated by way of domestic heat output. Therefore, the Minister's figures are wrong and to prove that——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Has the Deputy a question?

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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If the Minister were to talk to a scientist, he or she would tell him that his calculations are way off the mark. The savings figure for such a measure in Australia is 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. What is its population compared to ours? What will the Minister do to address the calculations he gave which are way off the mark? There is no way the level of energy emissions he predicted will be saved by the introduction of a ban on the use of incandescent lightbulbs. It is important he gets his calculations right. That brings me on to the issues——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I will call the Deputy again.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Okay.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I am happy for the Deputy to continue.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I was hoping that the Minister would answer the question.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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If people are using lightbulbs to heat their houses, that represents a very inefficient use of a lightbulb. The calculations I received are from reliable people in Sustainable Energy Ireland who have done much work in this area and I will call on them again when we set up the consultative group. I am convinced about the value of this initiative. I spoke to my counterparts, including Hilary Benn and others, last week and to those in Greenpeace in Europe who are impressed that Ireland is leading the way in introducing this initiative. We led the way in introducing the plastic bag levy and the smoking ban. Those in Greenpeace have said to me that this is a fantastic opportunity for Ireland to also lead the way in terms of sustainability. I am proud to be part of a Government that will bring forward this initiative. While it is the role of the Opposition to put a damper on and be critical of proposals——

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Minister was in Opposition not too long ago but he has changed his mind on many issues.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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——it would be great if its members were to share our enthusiasm for this measure to enhance sustainability.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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The reason the Minister came up with this idea was to mask the fact that there was nothing green in the budget. It was predicted that the introduction of a similar measure in Australia, which has a population of 21 million, would result in a saving of 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, yet the Minister calculates that the introduction of this measure here with our population of 4 million would result in a saving of 700,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Therefore, his calculations could not possibly be right.

Australia, Britain and other countries are consulting on and phasing in the introduction of this type of ban because there are many issues to be considered, including savings in emissions. The Minister cannot possibly meet the deadline of January 2009 set for the introduction of this measure because Europe has a proposal on the table to phase in the ban on the use of incandescent lightbulbs. The Minister has to keep to its timetable.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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No.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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The Minister cannot introduce this measure for at least another 18 months following publication of the legislation under EU law. Also the eco-design directive would prevent him from introducing it without consulting the stakeholders involved in terms of the cost of replacing the lighbulbs. The need to purchase lighbulbs that are ten times more expensive than those households currently used and the need to replace expensive light fittings will impose a major cost on households. Those issues need to be addressed. People, for example, those who have epilepsy, have health issues concerning the use of CFL bulbs. Other issues to be addressed include the free movement of goods and people's livelihoods. The Minister cannot do what he said he would do. The reason he said he could do this was to distract from a budget that had nothing green in it. He did not think through the introduction of this measure, which is not unusual.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am sure that is a question for the Minister. Does the Minister agree?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I do not agree. If the Deputy is saying that the introduction of motor taxation based on CO2 emissions is not a green initiative——

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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It has not happened yet.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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It will happen in July. While I am speculating, I would like to think it is our participation in government that has resulted in such initiatives.

I concede the Deputy has made some valid points on some difficulties in this regard that must be examined. One concerns the question of the light fittings. That is the reason we have allowed a year for the introduction this measure. However, the Deputy was incorrect in saying that we cannot introduce this ahead of the European Union's proposal. We can. I have consulted the Attorney General and others on this.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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The Minister should ask the Minister, Deputy Martin, what happened with the introduction of the smoking ban and how the Government was delayed in its introduction of it because it did not take into account its EU obligations.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The then Government went ahead with it——

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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A year later.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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——and it was an enormous success. People said it could not be done but it was done. Believe it or not Deputy, I consulted the Minister, Deputy Martin, on this issue and we had a long meeting on it.

The Deputy raised the issue of the cost of the bulbs. One CFL bulb can save €170 over the lifetime of a bulb. The cost of the bulbs are reducing all the time. By the time we introduce this measure, many of these bulbs will be in use. The bulbs will be available. Offers are being made now in regard to them. I do not accept that the use of these bulbs would involve a disproportionate cost for the poorer sections of the community. I understand the Deputy's concerns, but I believe this measure will be introduced on target, that the target is achievable and that this is an exciting initiative.