Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced in Kildare - Daly

FG to table Dáil Bill on mandatory bio fuel blending

Fine Gael Candidate for Kildare South, Cllr Richard Daly has today 9th Feb said that his party would introduce a Bill in the Dáil next week which would see all motor fuel blended with percentage of bio fuel in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a market for the production of bio fuel crops.

“The recently leaked EPA report revealed that Ireland has the highest level of CO2 emissions per head of population in the world which means we have reached a crisis point in terms of the damage we are doing to our environment. The current Fianna Fail/PD Government has failed to treat this area as an urgent priority and it is time for new thinking and clear policies that will deliver.

“The transport sector has been identified as one of the largest offenders in terms of green house gas emissions. That is why Fine Gael’s policy is that we will introduce mandatory fuel blending. We will table a Bill at Private Members’ Time in the Dáil next week which would mean that all petrol would be blended with ethanol and diesel with rape seed oil to produce bio diesel.

“The reality is that mandatory fuel blending is standard practice in other EU States and should be introduced here immediately. Not only that but our policy will not cost motorists extra because the bio fuel levels proposed will not require engine conversion or modification.

“The Fine Gael Bill would produce only positive results:

· It would reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector and help in meeting our Kyoto obligations.
· It would stimulate a viable, domestic market for Irish farmers who are keenly interested in growing bio fuels, but who are hesitant because they remain unsure of the long term future of the bio fuel market.
· It would be an important step in making Ireland more self sufficient in meeting its own future energy needs.

“We have heard much talk from the current Government but very little action on climate change. We must kick-start mandatory blending and give wider supports to rural communities to develop alternative energy generating projects. Communities and farmers up and down the country are positively disposed to playing their part in tackling Ireland's energy crisis and in producing cleaner, greener energy. The Fianna Fail/PD Government TDs have an opportunity next week to demonstrate their commitment to addressing the growing energy crisis and to putting in place measures to safeguard Ireland’s future.”
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