Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take, in view of the fact that electricity consumption at the Custom House has increased by 5% over the past three years, to ensure that this trend is reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8038/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In accordance with its Environmental Policy Statement, my Department is fully committed to the conservation and effective management of resources, including resources utilised through electricity consumption. This is a critical element of our accreditation to ISO 14001 in respect of the Custom House. To minimise energy consumption, my Department uses a number of energy saving devices such as energy efficient lights, powersave function on electrical office equipment and photocopiers with duplex facilities etc.. Staff are encouraged on an ongoing basis to avail of all opportunities to reduce wastage within offices, and we are also working with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Sustainable Energy Ireland with a view to introducing further energy saving measures.

My Department will be among the first Departments to participate in the recently launched OPW Optimising Power @ Work, Staff Energy Awareness Campaign. This campaign, which will begin in my Department in early March, aims at achieving a minimum of 15% reduction in total annual carbon dioxide emissions through an intensive staff energy awareness initiative towards optional efficiency in respect of all energy consuming processes.