Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who yesterday announced 21 energy efficiency projects which will be supported by Sustainable Energy Ireland and three local authorities, Fingal County Council, the Cathaoirleach's county of Mayo and Kerry County Council. I ask for an urgent debate with the Minister in this regard. I can see the efficiencies involved and the savings they will achieve for the local authorities. I propose an extension of this type of project for the reduction of lighting times and lighting output at certain hours of the day such as at 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. This would reduce carbon emissions. Irish motorways are lit more than any other motorways throughout the world. I said it in the House that there are more lights on the motorway from Dublin to Dundalk than on any interstate highway in the United States. Phenomenal savings could be made. I ask for an urgent debate. In my view we could spend a couple of hours having a debate on the issue. Savings in money and in carbon emissions could be achieved. I urge the Leader to organise a debate. I have some statistics that will surprise people. I have a final suggestion. I tell Senators that the public lighting in Dublin's fair city is on for one hour too long every single day of the year. Hundreds of thousands of lights are lighting until five past six in the morning when they could be turned off at five past five at certain times of the year. This is what we must consider.