Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to reduce CO2 emissions from private cars which have increased by 130% since 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30342/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The latest available inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, compiled annually by the Environmental Protection Agency, shows that emissions for the entire transport sector for 2003 were 11.85 million tonnes CO2 equivalent, an increase of 130% since 1990. The inventory shows that emissions of CO2 from road transport increased by 135% between 1990 and 2003. Emissions of CO2 from private cars are not available as emissions are calculated on the basis of fuel sold, rather than vehicle type.

The national climate change strategy identifies a range of policies and measures to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors. Measures addressed to the transport sector include vehicle efficiency improvements, taxation measures and measures to promote modal shift. While my Department has overall responsibility for the strategy, it is a matter for Departments with direct responsibility for each sector identified in the strategy to implement the optimum mix of policies and measures in order to control and reduce Ireland's overall level of greenhouse gas emissions. Work is currently in progress in my Department on reviewing the strategy, taking account of developments since its publication in 2000. My Department is working closely with all relevant Departments in the context of this review, including the Department of Transport as regards its work on reducing emissions in the transport sector.