Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Transport the estimated transport emissions for 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2020; the expected evolution of CO2 emissions if the economy contracts by up to 5% or more each year to 2011 and 2012; his views on when, within the context of the new smarter travel sustainable transport plan, transport carbon emissions will be stabilised and then fall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The production of CO2 emissions projections is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency. The latest such data available to my Department was published by the Agency on 16 September 2008.

At that time transport CO2 emissions for 2010 were projected by the Agency to be in the region of 15 million tonnes. For 2015 and 2020, the projections were in the region of 16 and 17 million tonnes respectively.

With regard to the likely effects of the current economic situation on future transport emissions, it is not possible, at this stage, to make such predictions with accuracy.

The Government's aim is to achieve emissions reductions that are sustainable in the long term. It is therefore vital to address the necessary changes in personal behaviour over the short, medium, and long term, as outlined in the Smarter Travel policy.