Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 76: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Government's light bulb initiative will help Ireland meet the 3% annual reduction target while taking into account that the ESB is part of the emissions trading sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14396/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I was pleased with the constructive first meeting I had with the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. As I said in my statement then, the committee is a welcome addition to our national parliamentary structure, which clearly reflects the importance the Oireachtas attaches to the climate change agenda. I look forward to further engagements with the committee on national, EU and wider international aspects of that agenda.

Progress towards achieving the Government's domestic 3% average annual reduction commitment may be measured with reference to net national greenhouse gas emissions. While this includes emissions from installations in the EU emissions trading scheme, the control of emissions within that scheme is primarily a matter for the scheme participants.

The trading scheme allows participating installations to emit in excess of their allocation provided they purchase additional allowances in respect of any excess emissions. Alternatively, an installation may choose to reduce its emissions to the level of its allocated allowances. In this regard, the scheme provides the flexibility for installations to meet their obligations in the most cost-effective manner available to them.

Each installation's emissions are recorded by the EPA for the purpose of compiling an annual national emissions inventory. Any emissions above the total annual allocation to the emissions trading scheme must be covered through trading arrangements by the installations concerned and will not therefore be counted in assessing Ireland's compliance with the Kyoto Protocol.

On the light bulbs issue, savings in electricity consumption from more energy efficient lighting will reduce national emissions from electricity generation. As all electricity generation plants in Ireland are included in the emissions trading scheme and have their emissions capped for the 2008-12 period in advance, this reduction will not lead to any further reduction in Ireland's national distance to target for Kyoto Protocol compliance. However, the emissions savings will count towards the Government's domestic 3% average annual reduction commitment.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Can the Minister clarify that the initiatives he has taken on light bulbs, which affect the ESB, will not be counted as part of the 3% reduction like other particular measures concerning the emissions trading scheme?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I did not say that.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Did he not?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I said that it was not part of the Kyoto Protocol.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I see. That is a different job altogether.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is the difference.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister did have something different to say about this on 28 February when he addressed the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. He is all over the place as regards how he counts his figures.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No, I am consistent.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

May I ask the Minister to clarify the matter again?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yes.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Are measures that have been taken on the emissions trading scheme being counted as part of the 3% or not? Can he clarify that first?

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister should throw some light on that for us.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have clarified that. One must distinguish between commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and our domestic commitments in the programme for Government. The latter includes a 3% annual reduction. This measure is counted as part of that but not as part of our Kyoto Protocol commitments. That is crystal clear. Deputy Hogan was there on the day I addressed that committee.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I was a bit confused.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputies Hogan and Tuffy will be glad to know that we are on target in respect of the light bulb initiative. We have consulted with various sectors and a consensus is emerging on the best way forward. I attended an exhibition at the weekend. There were various energy efficient light bulbs in all makes and sizes and this will contribute to our 3% annual reduction.