Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his assessment of the environmental impact of so-called sports utility vehicles and similar vehicles; his views on whether steps should be taken to curb their use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30946/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As stated in reply to Question No. 49 of 29 November 2005, statistics for emissions of carbon dioxide from specific categories of motor vehicles are not available, as emissions are calculated on the basis of fuel sold, rather than vehicle type. Emissions from the transport sector in 2004 totalled 12.58 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, equivalent to 18% of total national emissions in 2004. Road transport accounted for 96% of transport emissions. Different treatment already exists for private motor vehicles on the basis of engine size through differentiated vehicle registration and motor tax rates. In addition, 50% relief on vehicle registration tax is currently available for both hybrid-electric and flexible fuel vehicles.

While engine size is related to both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the size of a vehicle's engine is not an accurate proxy for the CO2 emissions from that vehicle and certain technologies provide a greater CO2 efficiency for a given engine size. I am therefore currently examining the potential to more closely align motor tax rates with the rated CO2 emissions for given vehicle types. It is not yet possible to identify the specific changes to motor tax rates which might result from this approach. Any changes to the current system of vehicle registration tax are a matter for the Minister for Finance to decide in the context of the Budget.