James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his removal of the national ban on incandescent light bulbs is an admission that his plans for the phasing out of such bulbs was rushed and ill thought in regard to health and safety implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3024/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Inspired by my plans and those of other Member States, the European Commission accelerated its proposal in relation to an EU-wide phasing out of incandescent light bulbs. While the Commission's proposal, published in December 2008, is slightly later in terms of commencing the phase-out process, its overall scope is much broader than expected. If adopted and implemented as proposed, the Commission proposal obviates the need for any national measures either proposed, taken or under consideration in Member States, including the Irish proposal.

Rather than having to introduce domestic primary legislation, the elimination of inefficient incandescent light bulbs will now take place under the 2005 EU Ecodesign of Energy-Using Products Directive, and will now begin in September 2009.