Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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252. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in anticipation of the 2030 European Union effort-sharing decision on transport emissions reductions, he will outline the specific proposals by his Department on ensuring the domestic fleet of cars, vans and lorries adapt to ensure the meeting of new standards; the policy measures proposed in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23839/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​Negotiations are currently underway at EU level to agree greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation targets for the period from 2021 to 2030.  To ensure that Ireland can effectively and equitably contribute to this process, a low-carbon development strategy is being developed for the period to 2050. As part of this strategy, a National Policy Position was published in April 2014 and a Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill is currently progressing through the Dáil.

The National Policy Position clarifies the level of GHG mitigation ambition envisaged for Ireland and the  legislation sets out proposed statutory obligations in relation to the development of a National Mitigation Plan. The Plan will incorporate four key sectors - electricity generation, the built environment, transport and agriculture. These sectors will contribute to the commitment in the National Policy Position to achieve an aggregate emissions reduction of 80%  by 2050. Similarly, the anticipated Effort Sharing Decision in respect of 2030 will provide for an aggregate reduction across these sectors. There will not be a specific target for each sector individually.

In relation to meeting standards, I presume the Deputy is referring to EU legislation that sets mandatory emission reduction targets for new cars. This law requires that new cars must not emit more than an average of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre by 2015. By 2021, phased in from 2020, the fleet average to be achieved by all new cars is 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre. As standards are regulated at EU level and the compliance rests with manufacturers, there is no requirement to provide measures at a national level for meeting these standards. However, the policy objective to reduce CO2  emissions is reflected in our charging system for private vehicle motor tax and VRT, which will continue to differentiate in favour of the most environmentally friendly vehicles.