Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on his plans to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector. [22335/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol to limit emissions of greenhouse gases, GHGs. GHGs from the transport sector are comprised almost entirely of carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of petrol and diesel, on which the transport sector is heavily dependent.

The national climate change strategy, NCCS, which was published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2000, sets out a broad package of policies and measures aimed at achieving national Kyoto targets, a number of which relate to transport. That Department chairs the interdepartmental climate change team in which my Department actively participates. The team is charged with overseeing the package of measures outlined in the NCCS.

A number of developments have taken place since the NCCS was adopted, including the commencement of emissions trading and the decision last year not to proceed with the introduction of a carbon tax. In light of these, and wider economic developments that impact on the achievement of emission reductions, the NCCS is currently under review. The adequacy of existing policies and measures, including those in the transport sector, is central to this review.

My Department is already proactive in pursuing a variety of measures to promote fuel efficiency, modal shift and demand management measures outlined in the NCCS. These include the provision of significantly improved public transport services to encourage modal shift away from the private car and towards public transport. My Department's forthcoming ten year transport investment framework will focus on delivering a substantial improvement in bus and rail services nationally. My Department is also providing significant financial and other support for a range of traffic management initiatives, including bus priority and the provision of facilities for cycling and walking.

It is recognised internationally that the achievement of emission reductions in the transport sector represents a significant challenge, particularly in the context of the strong economic growth Ireland has experienced in recent years. Nevertheless, in recognition of the contribution of transport to GHGs, my Department is committed to working with the climate change team to examine the scope for the development of additional policies to reduce the level of GHGs from the transport sector in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way.