Leinster House reported today that its carbon dioxide emissions were down markedly for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.
The Oireachtas claimed a new energy management plan has cut greenhouse gases by 9.2 per cent.
This represents a saving of over 531 tonnes of carbon dioxide for the Leinster House and Government Buildings complex, the equivalent to what would be generated by driving around the world 66 times.
An Oireachtas spokesman insisted there was a huge reduction in natural gas in the Dáil and Seanad since the beginning of the year - enough to fill 56 hot air balloons - through a 16.6 per cent reduction in heating.
There was also a 4.8 per cent cut in the amount of electricity used, enough to power 80 houses for a full year.
The ultimate aim of the Houses of the Oireachtas plan is to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 15 per cent, the spokesman said.
Among the changes implemented this year alterations to heating schedules and reducing unnecessary heating and air-conditioning on non-sitting days. Other changes included switching off computer screens during lunch-time, turning off all appliances such as photo-copiers, printers and TVs when not in use and ensuring no lights were left on unnecessarily.
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