A chara, - Given that world oil production is set to decline after 2010 due to diminishing reserves and that drastic measures are urgently required for Ireland to limit greenhouse gas emissions to internationally-agreed quotas, we should be grateful to the hauliers' protests (and the oil companies' collusion?) for highlighting the extreme folly of being so reliant on oil supplies. Common sense suggests:
Incentives to shift freight.
Accelerated provision of cheap, comprehensive, integrated public transport, accountable to local government.
New rail lines, rather than new motorways.
Integrated planning and transport to arrest the madness of long-distance car commuting.
Lower stamp duty, so that people can move house closer to their workplaces without punitive taxation.
Incentives for fuel diversification, to LPG/compressed gas (cleaner), biofuels (greener) and electricity (potentially cleaner and greener).
Extending Car-Free Day on September 22nd to affect all car commuters so that they make the effort to use a bus or bike or find someone with whom to share cars, if possible, or at least be given a chance to participate in the feel-good festivities by being invited to donate to a worthy charity in a mock-tolling scenario. Or something.
In fairness to the hauliers, fishermen, etc., who have legitimate concerns, all tax on fuel should be levied per litre of oil, rather than as a percentage of a fluctuating price.
So many solutions, so few interested politicians. - Is mise,
Claire Wheeler, Green Party Spokesperson on Energy, Oakfield Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.