An Garda Síochána Environment Act

An Acht um an Garda Síochána agus an Timpeallacht

That Seanad Éireann:

Notes that:

An Garda Síochána has been proactively engaged in reducing its energy consumption in order to meet the mandatory reduction of 33% by 2020.

Ongoing work with The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has provided a platform and a plan.

This project has generated cost savings of €5,391,135 over the past six years. Split between transport of €3,728,445 on petrol and diesel with thermal fuel savings of €935,873 and electricity savings of €672,817.

When compared to the 2009 baseline there is an energy reduction of 30% and CO2 reductions of 28.4% since this project was started.

In 2015 An Garda Síochána consumed approximately 140GWh of energy annually across the entire organisation. This represented a remarkable 30% organisational energy reduction over the previous 6 years with a total cumulative energy cost saving in the region of €11.7 million over the same period.

Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

The following may be funded by the state:

Metering and optimising a Business Management System that controls and monitors the building's mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems in Garda HQ

Lighting upgrades (LED) and use of light control technology within HQ

Boilers Conversion from oil to gas and insulation upgrades in Garda Stations.

The purchase of energy efficient products services and the design of energy efficient improvements such as triple boilers.

Conversion from petrol to diesel.

Consideration at procurement stage of aerodynamics and vehicle weight reduction.

Procurement of tyres with 25% higher rolling resistance and Tyre pressure checks

Use of low viscosity oil

Continue petrol to diesel conversion

Use of electric cars for inner cities policing and scenes of crime vehicles

Server rooms use of natural ventilation to replace air conditioning units

Using Solar PV in major buildings.

Garda College switching to gas from oil.

Further metering of major sites such as Garda College.

Submitted by /u/Fiachaire_ on behalf of the Sinn Féin Workers Party

This Reading shall end on 25th of January