23 November 2006

Environment

Energy Labelling for Cars

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the role of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry in the preparation of an energy labelling system for new vehicles; the reason the label chosen by his Department does not feature the same coloured features that are used on UK vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche):
The National Climate Change Strategy proposed implementation of a system of fuel economy labelling for new cars and the monitoring of carbon dioxide emissions rates for all newly registered cars. Since August 2001, national Regulations require all new passenger cars for sale to be individually labelled with fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions information. This labelling requirement is in accordance with the relevant annex to EU Directive 1999/94/EC relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars.

Furthermore, the Regulations require the display of a poster detailing the official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of all models for sale, the inclusion of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data on all promotional material and the production of a fuel economy guide by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry outlining the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions of all makes and models of new passenger cars offered for sale or lease in the State.

A report on implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy, Ireland’s Pathway to Kyoto Compliance, which was published in July 2006 for public consultation, proposed that public awareness of the carbon dioxide emissions from each vehicle model might be increased through a redesign of the existing fuel economy label. I will consider final decisions in relation to this proposal in light of submissions received.