Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 2010; the reduction achieved in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the transport sector for each year between now and 2010; the estimated annual cost to Ireland if greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector remain at their current level; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37180/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by means of vehicle efficiency improvements by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases by these means for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37181/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by the use of fuel measures by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases by these measures for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37182/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by the use of public transport measures by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the public transport sector for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37184/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by traffic management measures by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to traffic management measures for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37185/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the freight sector by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases from the freight sector for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37186/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Transport the overall target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the new car fleet by 2012; the total reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases from the new car fleet for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37187/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Transport if the target estimates for the transport sector under the national climate change strategy have been adjusted according to the CO2 savings made to date in 2005, as was specified would be the case under the strategy; the adjustments which have been made to date in 2005; the resultant new targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37188/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 201 to 208, inclusive, together.

The national climate change strategy, NCCS, published by the then Department of the Environment and Local Government in 2000, sets out Ireland's approach to meeting its Kyoto Protocol target, which is to limit growth in national greenhouse gas, GHG, emissions to an average of 13% above 1990 levels in the 2008-12 period. The NCCS identifies a range of policies and measures to control the growth of national GHGs across various sectors, including transport. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, DEHLG, has overall responsibility for the implementation of the NCCS and in this context one of their functions is to ensure that CO2 savings are monitored and estimates adjusted accordingly.

Addressing national GHG emissions requires action to be taken across the economy in a cost efficient and equitable manner. A cross-departmental approach is therefore essential to addressing emission reductions, particularly in view of the fact that a number of the policies in the NCCS aimed at tackling one particular sector's emissions are implemented by more than one Department or agency.

According to the latest national inventory data compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency — 2003 — the transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to national GHG emissions. Accounting for 17.7% of the national total, transport is the third largest contributor to national emissions, after agriculture's 28.9% and energy's 24.5%. However, the data show that the transport emission growth rate has slowed from +8.4% in the period 2000 to 2001, to +1.3% in 2001 to 2002 and +1% in 2002 to 2003. It should be noted that Kyoto Protocol reporting requires emissions from the transport sector to be based on fuel sales in the State, rather than on fuel consumption; it is estimated that cross-Border fuel trade increases Ireland's reportable CO2 emissions from the transport sector by up to 18%.

In addition to the sectoral policies and measures set out in the NCCS, Ireland's Kyoto target will also be achieved through emission reductions by installations participating in the EU emissions trading scheme, which excludes transport, and through the purchase by Government of carbon credits to address any shortfall. The ultimate financial cost to the Exchequer in this regard will depend on the final purchasing requirement and the prevailing price of carbon. The cost-effectiveness of potential measures in the non-trading part of the economy varies from sector to sector. It therefore makes sense to consider the costs of addressing emissions from the non-trading area as a whole rather than on a sectoral basis, thereby ensuring that the cost to the economy as a whole of compliance with our Kyoto commitments is minimised.

Transport's contribution to national emissions must be considered in the context of its pivotal role in supporting economic prosperity, regional development and social inclusion. Increasing transport emissions are driven by strong transport demand associated with our sustained economic growth. In the context of strong population and household growth, high employment rates and increased passenger and freight movements, reducing or slowing the growth of transport emissions represents a considerable challenge. In recognition of this challenge, my Department identifies sustainability as a key objective in the Statement of Strategy 2005-2007, and is seeking to incorporate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability into the development and delivery of transport policy. Additional resources have been devoted to this area in my Department, including the appointment of an environmental economist in April 2005.

The Deputy has inquired about the GHG reductions associated with various measures under the NCCS transport chapter. The document Determining the Share of National Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Emissions Trading in Ireland, prepared by ICF-Byrne Ó Cléirigh consultants, which was published in early 2004, sets out Ireland's progress to date in the achievement of our national Kyoto target, including a sectoral analysis. A copy is available on DEHLG's website. The DEHLG has commissioned further work from the consultants on the updating of emission projections and I understand that this work is due to be completed shortly.

Table 1, which follows, provides a summary of the NCCS targets for transport emission reductions and the estimates in the 2004 consultancy study of the extent to which those targets will be achieved. The table also sets out the range of Departments and also identifies the agencies with responsibility for the various transport measures included in the NCCS.

On the areas within my remit, a range of policies and measures are being progressed which will facilitate progress towards improving sustainability and addressing the transport emissions issue. Transport 21 will provide unprecedented levels of funding for public transport. However, significant investment in public transport has already been made since the NCCS was published, much of it paving the way for Transport 21. In the period 2000 to date, there has been substantial investment in upgrading the public transport system and particularly in increasing the capacity of urban public transport. There has also been significant investment in improved traffic management, particularly bus priority measures.

Road freight accounts for the bulk of Irish freight transport. Analysis of the DEHLG's 2004 Bulletin of Vehicle and Driver Statistics shows that 41% of goods vehicles are less than four years old. This is positive from an emissions viewpoint, as newer vehicles are more fuel efficient and have reduced emission levels. The road haulage sector is predisposed to maintaining fuel efficient operations, since fuel represents a significant cost for the sector.

On rail freight, Iarnród Éireann has held consultations with business interests to identify those freight activities best suited to rail transport and has developed a business plan which includes the targeting of trainload traffic, increasing the existing profitable business but withdrawing from those businesses that are heavily loss-making. They have made significant progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage.

Emission reductions from the new vehicle fleet can be achieved through vehicle efficiency improvements undertaken by vehicle manufacturers and Ireland supports the EU voluntary agreements negotiated between the Commission and the motor industry. Vehicle taxation and vehicle labelling measures are outside of my remit, as indicated in Table 1. My Department has responsibility for implementing EU vehicle standards and ensures that each new vehicle entering into use in Ireland conforms with the relevant standards, including CO2 emissions. Complementary to this, optimal vehicle operation enhances fuel efficiency. The national car test, which was introduced in 2000, facilitates vehicle optimisation and is operated by NCTS on behalf of my Department.

Improved spatial planning is also part of the solution to tackling emissions in terms of integrating land use and transport planning. My Department has participated in the preparation of regional planning guidelines. These guidelines, which will be implemented by local authorities, will be of benefit in this regard.

Transport 21 points the way forward. It provides for total capital funding of over €34 billion in transport over the next ten years and represents a major rebalancing of investment in favour of public transport, which will facilitate modal shift to public transport. It will see public transport capacity almost double over the period of this investment programme.

Transport 21 also provides funding for a range of sustainable transport initiatives. The purpose of these initiatives is to facilitate the main-streaming of sustainability criteria into transport investment decision-making and to make cleaner, more environmentally-friendly vehicles available, embracing public transport, the haulage industry and taxis. These initiatives include pilot projects for biofuel and hybrid-electric technologies, and eco-driving. My Department will be engaging with the relevant sectors to progress these initiatives.

I understand that the DEHLG is currently reviewing the NCCS in light of developments at national, European and international levels since its publication five years ago. I understand that the DEHLG intends to publish a review document shortly which will assess progress in implementing the strategy and assess emission trends across each sector for Ireland to meet its national Kyoto target in a cost-effective way. It is anticipated that adjusted targets and additional measures, where appropriate, will be considered in the context of this review. I am aware of the clear link between GHG emissions and climate change and I consider it to be a key cross-departmental issue. My Department will continue to play its part in ensuring that the transport sector makes an appropriate contribution to this important task, having regard to the objective of minimising the impact to the Irish economy by implementing those measures across all sectors in a way which involves least economic cost.