Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the requirements for all local authorities to purchase certain proportions of their energy supply from renewable sources would be appropriate in view of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's decision to purchase 62% of its energy supply from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36680/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 542 of 4 October 2005. The Department of Finance has responsibility for public procurement policy, including guidance and clarification for public bodies as to how environmental considerations may be taken into account and promoted.

While it is not within my Department's remit to stipulate the mix or quantities of any product or service that might be purchased by the local authorities in the course of their day-to-day activities, my Department issues broad advice and information to local authorities on the inclusion of environmental criteria in their tendering processes. However, these processes are subject to obligations under the EU public procurement directives. The EU Handbook on Environmental Public Procurement provides information on how to integrate environmental considerations into the procurement of goods and services.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether public procurement policies can play a role in halting climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 542 of 4 October 2005. The role of public procurement policies in assisting climate change policies and increases has been addressed by the European Commission in a 2003 study under the Commission's environment and sustainable development research programme entitled Environmental Relief Potential Of Urban Action On Avoidance And Detoxification Of Waste Streams Through Green Public Procurement. The study assessed the potential environmental benefits of widespread adoption of green procurement across the EU and concluded that significant reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide could be achieved through greater use of green electricity by public authorities, conversion to buildings of high environmental quality, and use of more energy-efficient computers and other electronic equipment.

The potential for public procurement policies to contribute to meeting Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, having regard to Ireland's obligations under the EU public procurement directives, is being explored in the context of the ongoing review of the national climate change strategy