Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views, in view of a target of 3% reduction of carbon emissions set by the Government on Sustainable Energy Ireland's recent publication Energy in Ireland 1990 to 2006 which showed that energy related CO2 emissions increased by 0.4% in 2006; his further views on figures showing that energy related CO2 emissions in 2006 were 54% higher than 1990 levels; the energy related targets for carbon emission reductions for 2008; the way he will reach that target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35814/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Overall energy related CO2 emissions, including domestic and international aviation, increased by 0.4% in 2006, resulting from a 0.9% increase in overall energy demand while the economy grew by 5.7%. This compares with a 5.1% increase in energy related emissions in 2005 and a 4.2% increase in demand. On a Kyoto Protocol basis, excluding international aviation, a reduction in energy related CO2 emissions of 0.4% was recorded in 2006.

All sectors with the exception of transport experienced reductions in direct energy related CO2 emissions in 2006. Industry experienced a 0.6% increase, residential sector experienced a 1.2% reduction, services experienced an 8.8% reduction and transport energy related emissions grew by 7.1% in 2006. Overall, electricity generation experienced a 1.8% reduction in CO2 emissions, notwithstanding a 6.3% growth in electricity demand. In total, renewable energy contribution to total energy demand increased by 15% in 2006.

Electricity generated from wind grew by 46%, bringing the contribution of renewables to gross electricity consumption to 8.6% at the end of 2006, up from 6.8% in 2005, an increase of 32% in absolute terms. The current estimate, provisional, of renewable contribution to gross electricity consumption is just over 10%. Had transport energy not experienced any growth in 2006, energy-related CO2 emissions would have reduced by 2.8%. It is the case that energy related CO2 emissions increased by 54% between 1990 and 2006. In that context there is no doubt that the transport sector presents the greatest challenge in reducing energy related greenhouse gas emissions.

My colleague, the Minister for Transport, is preparing a sustainable travel and transport action plan which I understand he intends to publish for consultation shortly. Furthermore, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, announced a range of measures in the carbon budget creating structural change in relation to VRT and motor taxation to provide incentives for more sustainable choices in the car fleet in the medium to long term.

My Department intends introducing a variety of other measures to promote energy efficiency and renewables to help us meet the Government's targeted 3% annual reduction in CO2 emissions.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I appreciate the information the Minister has given but it is historical. What I am trying to assess is the difference he will make in terms of 2008. The Green Party went into Government to make a difference. The Minister has listed what has happened until now but he does not tell us what will be different from now on. When I put the question to him this morning I was surprised he did not have an answer. What I want to know is the target for the Minister's area of responsibility for 2008 and how he intends to achieve it?

I wish to make a seasonal point. Why, during the Minister's term of office, has Eirgrid informed us that Christmas lighting is increasing electricity usage by 2%, which is a very significant amount. We have seen the excess amount of lighting around. At a time when that is happening the Government, through the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, handed out over €100,000 for Christmas lighting in Irish.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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A question, please, Deputy.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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How can the Minister let this happen?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am grateful to the Deputy for informing me of the support schemes for Christmas lighting in Irish. Eirgrid has set out the increases in electricity that arise at this time of year from Christmas lighting. We will see many opportunities and technological developments which will provide certain solutions. For example, with LED lighting we can achieve light with a much lower energy reduction. I commend my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who, in the budget, agreed to a complete phase out of energy inefficient light bulbs by 1 January 2009, which will save in the order of 700,000 tonnes of emissions each year and €185 million in reduced electricity bills for consumers. That is an example of a very practical technological measure which achieves a significant gain without a significant cost to citizens.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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In the meantime will the Minister ensure, through Cabinet, that this kind of expenditure is properly proofed in terms of climate change? We can have all the fine words in the world but the reality is that we have this type of venture, which is largely spent in that Minister's constituency, promoting Christmas lighting, which is all very nice — I am being Scrooge here — but it does not tally with the views of the Minister on what needs to be done. It is significant. That there have been only two ministerial meetings of the sub-committee of the Cabinet is evidence of what happens when it does not meet on a regular basis to ensure the Government is performing and not just talking.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I assure the Deputy that the meetings that occur outside the Cabinet in preparation for Cabinet sub-committee meetings are ongoing. The delivery of the carbon budget, the first one in any country in the world, took an extensive amount of preparation but we are only at the start. It will require cross-Government, cross-Department involvement in a common goal, which is to reduce CO2 emissions by 3% per annum across all areas and particularly in areas where long-term decisions have to be taken in recognition of the long-term challenge in this regard.