Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 27 and 54 together.

I will shortly launch the public consultation on the proposed bio-fuels obligation. The consultation process will enable all interested stakeholders to submit their views on the proposal. In that context, EU developments on bio-fuels policy in light of the emerging concerns in relation to sustainability will be fully factored in and will be publicly debated. Specific details of the obligation will be finalised on foot of the consultation process. The intention is to have the bio-fuels obligation in place next year in line with the programme for Government.

We are currently working to deliver the EU indicative target of 5.75% penetration of bio-fuels by 2010. Under the excise relief schemes over 50 million litres of bio-fuels are being deployed in Ireland, of which in the region of 25 million litres are produced in this country. The EU Commission's proposed renewable energy directive sets a minimum mandatory target of 10% market penetration of bio-fuels in transport in all member states by 2020. The proposal also includes an explicit framework for sustainability criteria in relation to bio-fuels. These criteria are designed to ensure that bio-fuels deployed by member states are produced sustainably and do not contribute towards the degradation of the natural environment, including the destruction of forests, wetlands or long-established grassland. The criteria will also set strict targets for bio-fuels in terms of the greenhouse gas emissions they must save before they can be considered eligible as counting towards national targets. My Department is actively engaged in the EU Council working group which is working to agree the sustainability criteria.

Currently, the feed stocks used for bio-fuels production are generally sourced on the open internationally traded commodities market with little or no information attached to these with regard to their origins. It is only through setting stringent sustainability criteria that Ireland and other member states will be able to trace the source of these fuels and obviate the cumulative effect of unsustainable practices on developing countries. I wholeheartedly support the Commission's commitment to ensuring that rigorous sustainability criteria are put in place and complied with under the new directive.

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