Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the works or measures that have taken place in 2007 to make his Departmental buildings more environmentally friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32389/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has commissioned a major study, using expert international consultants, on the operation of my Department's buildings on Adelaide Road and Leeson Lane with a view to improving their performance in terms of energy efficiency. The results of that study have been submitted to OPW and this study will help shape development of the office space in both buildings over the coming years.

Following an energy audit carried out in 2006, a programme of installation of power factor correction equipment and other measures has commenced in my Department's Adelaide Road headquarters building. The contractor has guaranteed a minimum level of savings to be achieved from these measures. The project will be monitored closely over the next year, and the results will be made public.

In addition, where routine replacement of equipment, fixtures and fittings, for example, lights, et cetera, is required, they are always replaced with more energy efficient versions of the item concerned.

In the context of the Government's Decentralisation Programme my Department's specification for accommodation in Cavan focuses on energy efficiency and part of our forthcoming discussions with OPW will concentrate on the promotion of passive energy solutions in the new headquarters.