Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1412: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is any empirical evidence to show that the carbon tax has resulted in a decrease in CO [33191/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Verifiable data on emissions for the period since the introduction of the carbon tax are not yet available and therefore it is not possible at this time to provide comprehensive analysis on the effects of the tax. Insofar as the transport sector is concerned, while early indicators suggest that consumption of motor fuels is still falling, data over a number of years would be required to provide a full analysis. The impact of other policy changes, such as rates of VRT and Motor Tax, would also have to be factored into any such analysis of transport emissions. Investment in more efficient capital stock is strongly incentivised by carbon taxes, but these changes take place over much longer time frames than a single year.