Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

Some points raised by my colleagues in the Lower House during its discussion of the Bill must be addressed. For example and as mentioned by Senators Coffey and Brady, why will energy efficient cars bought one year or two years ago not be included in the legislation? We could address this matter. Why will gas guzzling vehicles bought prior to the change not be subject to increases in tax? I would like the Minister's advice on the status of cars bought outside our jurisdiction. Under current proposals, people on lower incomes — generally speaking, they buy second-hand vehicles — seem to be discriminated against by the Bill because only new cars are to be included. The House deserves an answer to all of these questions. In the Lower House, the Minister stated he would consider tabling a number of amendments in that regard on Committee Stage. Perhaps he will do so.

We welcome the legislation in general. As car emissions have a significant impact on global warming, anything that can reduce the level of emissions must be good news. As emissions continue to rise, so will their consequences, such as the frequency of storms. Last week saw one of the biggest storms of the year. I had the opportunity to view some of its damage when I went to the Laytown pitch and putt club, some of which had been washed away. When the tide came in, it left flotsam and jetsam on the course and took away some of the undersoil. This is just one example of the impact of climate change and I am sure there are others around the country.

Measures such as the Bill can contribute to lessening the impact of global warming, but concerns remain. Transport accounts for 21% of our emissions. As car ownership is holding at the European average, it and car usage can be expected to rise. The combination of both will mean more road journeys. The 21% of emissions from transport will continue to rise despite legislation such as this Bill. We need other measures to ensure people have the opportunity to leave their cars at home and we must put in place alternatives.

One area in which we could make a difference is school transport. Later tonight, the House will debate sustainable residential development. I had the opportunity to read the Minister's excellent document, which stated clearly that 55% of children go to school by car compared to 28% 15 years ago. An additional 100,000 children travel by car to and from school every morning and afternoon, respectively. We must try to reverse this trend by introducing measures such as walking buses and safer routes to school. The document handed out at the beginning of the Minister's contribution states that the impact of the Bill is expected to be revenue neutral. While there may not be additional funds to play with, I ask the Minister to use his office to promote expenditure by local authorities on such areas as walking buses and additional footpaths in the vicinity of schools to tackle the percentage of children who are driven to school every day. Apart from the Bill, we can expect other measures to be put in place to deal with global warming. Walking buses, for example, could help to mitigate the effect of transport emissions.

The Bill is welcome, although rushed. There are a few holes in it. Will the Minister consider making amendments on Committee Stage to address the concerns I have expressed?