Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans in relation to the reduction of carbon emissions from the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3492/08]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Transport the measures in the context of the new EU target for Ireland to reduce its greenhouse emissions by 20% by 2020, using 2005 as a base figure, his Department is planning to introduce to facilitate the reduction in emissions in the transport sector; the estimates his Department has made for the expected level of transport emissions in 2008, 2010, 2015 and 2020; the maximum level of transport emissions allowable within the context of the Kyoto Treaty and the Budget 2008 carbon budget; the estimated impact on transport carbon emissions of the introduction of vehicle registration tax changes in July 2008 and the car tax changes in Budget 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3386/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 175 together.

The growth in emissions from transport is an indication of the economic success and growth in population in Ireland. Ireland has a single target under the Kyoto Protocol and individual targets are not set for each sector. Nevertheless, the National Climate Change Strategy projects emissions from the transport sector to grow as per the following table:

Inventories and Projections (Mt CO2E) for Transport Sector.

A number of measures relating to transport are included in the National Climate Change Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include rebalancing of motor taxes, Mineral Oil Tax Relief for biofuels, modal shift through Transport 21 and the achievement of a 5.75% biofuels blend in fuels by 2010. In all, the transport sector will provide up to 13% in total national emissions savings under that Strategy. Further details of the Strategy are available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: www.environ.ie.

The recent Government proposals in relation to rebalancing VRT and Motor Tax to reflect carbon dioxide emissions is in keeping with the National Climate Change Strategy. An updated analysis, to reflect the actual measures announced in the Budget, will be presented by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in the annual report on the implementation of the Strategy. This annual report will also include updated projections of greenhouse gas emissions for all sectors.

In the meanwhile the Government is committed to delivering a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan this year and I hope to initiate an intensive public consultation process on the issues in the near future. I would expect that the question of emission targets for transport will be explored in more detail during that process.