Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

A recent programme of investment in the electricity networks has sought to address the need to meet ever increasing demands. Further investment is required in areas such as interconnection and will have to be paid for by the consumer or, indirectly, by the taxpayer. Ireland's main energy challenges are largely a consequence of its geographical situation. As an island on the western edge of Europe, lacking significant confirmed hydrocarbon deposits and subject to rapid economic growth, it is inevitable that Ireland's reliance on external sources of fuel will, at least in the short term, exceed the average European level. Over the longer term, however, our geography is also a source of opportunity for Ireland, particularly in regard to the potential for more intensive exploitation of renewable energy. Success will require that the technologies involved are economical compared to traditional sources of energy and that market conditions provide appropriate incentives for producers.

I commend the Government on its continued commitment to delivering on energy policy priorities and meeting national and international energy challenges. As a direct result of Government policy, Ireland is well positioned to manage these challenges. The Government's commitment was underlined by the launch of the energy Green Paper, Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, which addresses the challenges for Irish energy to 2020 and beyond and sets out both the policy actions currently underway and the policy options for the future.

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