THE GOVERNMENT remains on course to introduce a ban on traditional lightbulbs in favour of long-life environmentally friendly bulbs by the start of 2009, according to the Minister for the Environment.
In a wide-ranging address to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security yesterday, John Gormley also noted that "cows and cars" were among the challenges facing Ireland in its attempts to combat climate change.
Mr Gormley also expressed confidence that the Government's commission on taxation could produce an interim report on the introduction of a carbon tax here in advance of its deadline for a final report in September 2009.
However, he acknowledged that there was currently no funding in place for refurbishment of existing local authority housing stock to ensure greater energy efficiency.
The EU had previously expressed doubts about the Government's ability to ban products such as lightbulbs that are on sale in other member states.
Mr Gormley said, however, that he had met the relevant EU commissioners on the matter and that the Government was going ahead with its plans.
This included "full consultation" to make sure no "unreasonable demands" were being made. The sale of traditional light bulbs would no longer be allowed by January 1st, 2009, he said.
Mr Gormley noted that retrofitting of existing local authority housing to make it more energy efficient would require a massive investment.
Labour Party TD Liz McManus said consideration should be given to including such measures in ongoing programmes of refurbishment works. She said that oil-fired heating was being put in at present. It could be possible to include energy-efficient measures such as better insulation as "part and parcel" of this work, she suggested.
The Minister indicated he was willing to consider this and would revert to the deputy in writing.
"Cows and cars" were two issues which had to be addressed in Ireland in the context of climate change, Mr Gormley said.
The challenge in relation to agriculture included using less intensive farming methods in the context of rising demand for protein from countries such as China.
A C02 emission-based motor tax system as well as a labelling system would be introduced from June 1st, but motorists who have bought low CO2 emission cars from January 1st this year would also be allowed to "opt in" to this system, he added.
Noting that the terms of reference of the commission on taxation allowed for interim reports to be introduced, he said he believed that the production of an interim carbon levy report was "eminently doable".
"I have asked them to prioritise the carbon levy. I do see it very much as a priority."
Mr Gormley said it was important to lead by example when it comes to climate change. However, there was room for improvement.
He noted that the "heat is left on" even during the summer in the Oireachtas building in which yesterday's meeting took place. Similarly, the lights were left on, he added.