Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 180: To ask the Taoiseach the amount his Department paid in 2006 for car mileage expenses; the amount paid to cover rail and bus ticket expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9780/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The amounts paid by my Department in 2006 for car mileage, rail and bus ticket expenses are as shown in the table.

These amounts include car mileage and rail ticket expenses paid to delegates of the National Forum on Europe, the Taskforce on Active Citizenship and to members of the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership.

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Taoiseach the cost of energy used running his Department in the year 2002; the cost of doing so in 2006; the quantity of energy used in each of these years to which this cost relates; and his plans to reduce this usage as a contribution to meeting concerns regarding climate change. [9829/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The total cost of energy supplies to my Department was €106,862.16 in 2002 and €174,316.99 in 2006. Electricity and gas supplies to Government Buildings/Leinster House are metered through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The actual quantity of energy consumed by my Department is unavailable, as the supply is not separately metered.

My Department has introduced a number of measures following the advice outlined in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's Green Government Guide. This involves the purchase of energy efficient equipment such as photocopiers and computer equipment as well as turning off lighting and office equipment when they are not required. My Department is also working closely with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to effectively manage our consumption of energy resources and to raise staff energy awareness.