Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to discuss what will be a busy meeting for him. I appreciate that he mentioned earlier that a number of items will not be debated and discussed, but in the context of the pursuing of a goal of a single European digital market, one question that would arise is whether the successful achievement of this will result in lower prices for the Irish consumer.

What is the current state of biofuel production in Ireland in terms of secondary resources, as outlined, rather than those associated with the food area? I understood that what little biofuel production occurs in Ireland is related to the food area.

Is it the concept of developing energy infrastructure without delay, as outlined in the report's conclusions on the completion of the internal energy market, that is forcing EirGrid to pursue its current policies on accelerating infrastructural development in Ireland? Does the Minister have any comment to make on the ongoing debate on infrastructure? A number of groups have appeared before the committee in recent weeks that are united in their view that there should be undergrounding of cabling in Leinster and the north midlands. I would be grateful if the Minister, who has made a number of public statements in this regard, took the opportunity of clarifying the exact position.

With regard to the report on progress on external energy relations, reference is made to the continual growth of unconventional oil and gas production in the United States and increased exports of US coal to the European Union, leading to the increased use of coal in electricity generation and a reduction in the use of gas-fired plants in the European Union. This is a very serious development, coming about primarily because of the literal collapse in the cost of shale gas in the United States. A number of companies are able to sell their coal cheaper than gas, which represents a complete turnaround from the position a year or two ago. It is stated that a particular type of coal, Illinois coal, does not seem to pose as much danger to the environment in terms of climate change, but I am not so sure because a leading expert in the coal area said recently that three quarters of the remaining coal deposits should remain in the ground. Does this relate to Ireland in any way in the context of the increased exports of US coal to the European Union? Does it affect climate change and our obligations in terms of trying to reduce carbon emissions?

Can the Minister give us an update on the position of Ireland on fracking? A media report last week indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, will produce its impact report in January or February of next year. Can the Minister say when he expects to get that report? What does he expect to do with it?

Does Ireland participate in nuclear energy discussions at Council meetings when they arise? For example, under the heading of any other business, there will be a presentation on the work programme of the incoming Greek Presidency and an update on recent developments in the nuclear energy field. I am curious about this because Ireland has a particular anti-nuclear position. Do we actually participate in nuclear energy discussions or do we absent ourselves?