Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in view of the planned development of an EU Energy Efficiency Directive and domestic energy efficiency targets adopted by previous Governments, he has developed a plan of specific energy efficiency targets for local authorities and other agencies under his Department to achieve in a set timeframe; if he has considered such a programme of energy savings in the context of the overall reduction in local government funding; if he will outline the details of such a plan, if available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31202/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The European Communities (Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009 transposed Directive 2006/32/EC into Irish Law. Part 4 of the Regulations outlines a number of obligations relevant to individual public bodies (including local authorities) in relation to improving their performance with regard to energy efficiency. In this context, Ireland's National Energy Efficiency Action Plan in 2009 included a commitment that the public sector would aim to achieve a 33% improvement in its energy efficiency performance by 2020.

Directive 2006/32/EC and a number of related Directives are currently being recast by the European Commission in the form of the proposed Energy Efficiency Directive.

All public bodies, including local authorities, are responsible for devising and implementing their own plans as necessary to meet their shared obligations in line with the above-mentioned regulations. A network of local energy agencies is available to advise and assist local authorities in relation to meeting energy efficiency requirements.