Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to reduce transport greenhouse gas emissions. [29726/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS), published by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2000, sets out Ireland's approach to meeting its Kyoto Protocol target of reducing national greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels by 2008-2012. A review of this document was published for public consultation in July 2006. The published Paper reviews the progress to date and also identifies a range of other measures, including measures in the transport sector, that might be considered for inclusion in the new Strategy which is to be published in the near future.

My Department is already pursuing a number of measures to control the growth of greenhouse gas emissions from transport, including a commitment to sustainability as a key objective in the Statement of Strategy 2005-2007.

Transport 21 will promote modal shift from private cars to public transport through significant rebalancing of investment in favour of public transport. The completion of projects identified in Transport 21 will see public transport capacity in the Greater Dublin Area almost double over its ten-year implementation period. In addition, major investment will take place in the national rail network, with improved and more frequent inter-city rail services, the development of the Western Rail Corridor and the Cork suburban rail network. There will also be significant investment in regional and local bus services.

Funding for a range of sustainable transport initiatives is also provided under Transport 21. The purpose of these initiatives is to facilitate the mainstreaming 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. Pilot projects will be carried out to test the potential of biofuels, hybrid-electric technologies and eco-driving.

Technological developments can improve the fuel economy, and therefore emissions, of passenger cars. Ireland supports the EU Voluntary Agreements negotiated between the Commission and the car manufacturing industry to progressively reduce CO2 emissions from new passenger cars. Complementary to this, optimal vehicle operation enhances fuel efficiency. The National Car Test, which was introduced in 2000, facilitates improved vehicle maintenance.

Tackling transport emissions requires a cross-Departmental approach involving a number of Government Departments. I am determined to ensure that my Department will continue to play its part in ensuring that the transport sector makes its contribution to the important task of controlling national greenhouse gas emissions.