Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy said, the amendments before us deal with the direction to be taken by the Minister. This was well debated on Committee Stage and I indicated I would consider the points raised by Deputies. I have tried to incorporate those proposals and amendments as much as possible. I propose, therefore, to comment on my amendments Nos. 49, 52 and 55.

Amendment No. 49 addresses issues raised by Deputy Broughan during the select committee discussion. It identifies issues found under three headings in the Department's Green Paper on energy policy which the Minister may have regard to in any general policy direction given to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list as any Minister will require the necessary flexibility to meet a variety of competing regulatory and market issues and contingencies. Some, as the Deputy stated, might not be easily predicted at this stage. The issues mentioned, I believe, are sufficiently broad to meet most, if not all, contingencies. The issues raised by the Deputy — prices, fuel poverty and wholesale prices — are dealt with under the general heading of competitiveness. A competitive market means prices are kept to a minimum.

Amendments Nos. 52 and 55 follow from an amendment originally proposed by Deputy Eamon Ryan and from discussions that took place on Committee Stage. It is proposed to increase the minimum number of days within which representations may be made relating to proposed policy directions from the Minister to CER from 21 to 30. This requires the Minister to submit a copy of the proposed policy direction to the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for consideration. The changes to subsection (5) are consequential to those made on subsection (3) and simply make reference to the Minister's obligation under the amended subsection. The points raised by the Deputies in the majority of their amendments are incorporated in these and, if approved, the text of amendments Nos. 50, 51, 53 and 54 will fall as a necessary consequence.

Regarding Deputy Broughan's amendment No. 56, the issue of targets for renewable energy with an appropriate timeframe is addressed in detail in the Green Paper on energy policy. The Green Paper, or White Paper when it is published, sets out that reviews will take place every three to five years. The amendment as proposed by the Deputy would not work well, a fact he adverted to. Technology, energy sources, national and international issues and so on are constantly changing and evolving and can affect targets. It is better this not be included in legislation, particularly as 2030, 2040 and 2050 approach, because things change so much.

I assure the Deputy the Green Paper indicates energy policy will be reviewed every three to five years which has not happened in the last 30 years.

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