Press Releases
"All buses must covert to bio-fuels", Fiona O'Malley TD
PD Deputy Fiona O'Malley says her Party will ensure all major bus operators convert their vehicles to biofuel.
She said the PDs also want to scrap the current VRT and Motor Tax system so tax paid on a car will depend on the vehicle's fuel efficiency.
A package of environmental initiatives was announced on the closing day of the PDs National Conference in Wexford, which was attended by over 1,000 delegates.
"We will require all major bus and fleet operators to convert their vehicles to biofuel on a phased basis. We are also proposing a new Department of Environment and Energy, because the issues of energy and environmental sustainability now deserve the dedicated attention of a full Cabinet Minister," she said.
The PDs will ensure that 30% of electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2015, and ensure that bio-fuels represent 5.75% of fuel market by 2009.
The Party will also demand that ESB's transmission and distribution operations break-even, rather than return a profit to the State, resulting in reduced prices for customers.
Deputy O'Malley added that adequate establishment grants should be paid to farmers to plant willow and elephant grass to make certain that sufficient biomass is available.
"Climate change is, by far and away, the greatest environmental problem that we face. But it is a fact that poor economies can cause much greater environmental damage than stronger economies. Those who argue that we must go backwards if we are to maintain sustainability are wrong. We believe that only a high-performance economy will generate the resources to successfully address the question of sustainability," she said.
For further information please contact Mary Minihan in the PD press office on 087-1225140.