Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I am happy on behalf of the Green Party to support this Fine Gael motion. First I will make a couple of technical points. While I agree with the motion, the call by Fine Gael for a requirement on all filling stations to use a biofuel mix is a proper long-term development the Government should undertake. If that could be achieved, it would remove the requirement on the State to abolish excise duty on such fuels. The cost of the biofuel support would, therefore, be borne by the oil companies rather than the taxpayer. The State should seek to do this quickly once the industry has been established. The Department must be clear on what is possible in designating fuel sources to provide the supply for such biofuels and on whether a requirement can be set under WTO rules for domestic or European farmers to produce such fuels. Such clarity would give farmers certainty when investing.

Energy policy must consider the broad picture of energy use, which is generally divided into three categories — transport, heating and electricity generation. Because fuel is interchangeable and the price varies depending on global supply, the issue must be addressed across all areas. The motion concentrates exclusively on transport, which is valid because it is very important, but if one takes a broader perspective and analyses what our land and resources can be used for, one may take a different position. While the provision of biofuels would be useful in securing supply, ensuring money is invested in domestic farms rather than in Saudi Arabia and reducing carbon emissions, a policy issue arises because if Irish land is used to develop biomass crops for heating and power generation, a higher return may be achieved in carbon reduction, energy efficiency and revenue for the farmer. Power is used in a more efficient manner in this context and a broad, integrated policy must be developed.

It has been argued that parties have taken on green clothes, but the issues of peak oil and climate change, which are linked, are of such fundamental importance that radical changes are needed and every Member needs to take on such green thinking. This would lead to further change. The Minister's response to the motion was comical and his failure in this area is farcical, with people crying rather than laughing. He stated, "The Government has delivered an ambitious programme of renewable and sustainable development and it has a comprehensive and holistic strategy in the area." That, unfortunately, is a scandalous disgrace.

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