|
Ban on traditional light bulbs remains on target ENVIRONMENT
Minister John Gormley has insisted his proposal to ban traditional light
bulbs in favour of energy-saving ones remains on course to be introduced
next year.
Doubt had been thrown over the proposed 2009 implementation date because
of the need to comply with EU legislation.
It was believed that banning the sale of a product legally available in
other member states would not be possible under internal market rules.
Instead it was thought Mr Gormley would have to wait until the EU introduced
its own initiative banning the bulbs.
But the Minister said he had received the support of commission vice-president
Günter Verheugen for his move.
Mr Gormley revealed Mr Verheugen had pledged that in light of Ireland’s
initiative the commission would seek to bring forward its own proposals
as soon as possible.
He insisted all necessary procedures would be followed to adhere with
EU requirements before pushing through the ban.
The Minister said the initiative would reduce emissions in Ireland by
800,000 tonnes a year and save consumers more than €180million.
But Labour environment spokeswoman Joanna Tuffy dismissed Mr Gormley’s
claims.
She said: “While support from EU commissioners is certainly to be
welcomed it falls well short of the commission giving Minister Gormley
permission to take regulatory short cuts.” |
