01 February 2007

Defence

Energy Expenditures

Ciarán Cuffe asked  the Minister for Defence the reason his Department spent more on energy and fuel in 2005 than any other Government Department; the energy efficiencies he is putting in place to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr O'Dea)

I previously advised the Deputy that in 2005 expenditure for fuel in relation to the provision of heating and electricity in the various offices of my Department was € 315,350.00.

In addition a further €16,324,500.00 was spent on energy and fuel by the Defence Forces across 100 sites including 27 permanently occupied Military Barracks. This included expenditure of
€ 8,900,000.00 on fuel for aircraft, vehicles and naval vessels.

An energy efficiency working group was established in 2003 to examine fuel economy measures throughout the Defence Forces .
A number of initiatives to improve energy efficiency have since been implemented and these have resulted in more efficient energy usage and cost savings. The group continues to work to improve energy efficiency across the Defence Forces.