MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley is to press ahead with a phased ban on traditional incandescent lightbulbs from next March.
A consultation process on the issue, which closed last Friday, is understood to have attracted only a small number of submissions, none of which is expected to affect the thrust of the Minister's proposals.
These are now likely to be forwarded to the EU Commission for a further consultation process lasting three months. Legislation would then have to be passed by the Oireachtas before the ban could take effect.
From March 2009 bayonet and screwtop incandescent bulbs of 75 watts and over will be removed from the market. This will remove about half the energy-inefficient bulbs currently available.
Retailers will be allowed three months to clear their stocks after which fines of up to €5,000 and jail terms of up to six months may apply where the regulations are breached.
At present the proposals make no specific recommendations for incandescent spot and reflector bulbs, including dimmable bulbs. The position in relation to these bulbs - where the technology for energy-efficient alternatives is not so advanced - will be reviewed in 2010.
The scope of the ban will be widened in 2010 and following years until all energy-inefficient bulbs, including incandescent tungsten filament halogen bulbs, are taken off the market.
Department of the Environment officials have sought expert medical opinion in relation to a number of health concerns which have been raised over energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. While they believe most of these have been allayed, the effects of such ultraviolet-emitting light on people affected by lupus, a skin disorder, are still being examined.
While CFL bulbs cost more to buy, the department believes these costs can be recouped through lower operating costs within six months. Officials also believe CFL technology will in turn be replaced by even more energy-efficient LED light technology within a few years. LED lights have a lifetime of up to 40,000 hours and use one-tenth of the power of a traditional bulb.
