Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the transport sector was not included in the carbon emissions scheme since emissions in this sector have risen considerably since 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22473/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The transport sector is not included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme as it is not one of the activities included in the scope of the Emissions Trading Directive. While it is possible for Member States to voluntarily include additional gases or categories of activities in the scope of the Scheme, this is constrained in practice by considerations such as the feasibility of emissions reporting, monitoring and verification given the number and size of emitters and the technical feasibility to reduce emissions.

The Government is addressing emissions from the transport sector through a variety of measures outside the emissions trading scheme, including a €205m excise relief scheme for biofuels, reduced VRT for hybrid cars and flexible fuel vehicles and provision of fuel economy labelling to influence consumer choice in vehicle purchasing decisions. In addition to these measures, significant investment has been provided for public transport under the current National Development Plan and will continue to be provided in the context of Transport 21. Further measures to reduce emissions from the transport sector are being considered in the context of the review of the National Climate Change Strategy.