Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the publication of this Bill but I feel compelled to vote against it for the reasons outlined by the Minister last night. The means by which energy is produced and used has become important because of the impact of global warming. All Members have a common position on this matter. For years the impact of global warming was discussed, with many denying that it was occurring. Even the most sceptical must admit that the world is warming. The consequences are astounding and the root cause, the increased emissions of carbon dioxide, must be addressed. It is vital that we play our part in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced, helping to lessen the harmful effects of global warming.

The Government introduced two bio-fuel mineral oil tax relief schemes in 2005 and 2006. As a result, a significant volume of bio-fuel is coming on the market in Ireland. The use of bio-fuel in vehicles reduces the amount of CO2 emissions and I congratulate the Government for introducing a 50% reduction in VRT for cars that use bio-fuels. I commend the commitment of the Minister for Finance to the green energy programme. While the number of cars that can use bio-fuel is not high, the 50% reduction should ensure more energy saving cars, lorries and vans will be used. Oil, petrol or diesel, is a finite resource and we must conserve it. The use of such fuels in cars, resulting in high CO2 emissions, is doing untold damage to our environment. Steps that reduce CO2 emissions are steps in the right direction. I am pleased the Government will link VRT with CO2 emissions. Bio-fuels are renewable and offer important opportunities to the agricultural sector at a time when many of its traditional sources of income are under threat. It is important farmers be given every encouragement to grow crops from which bio-fuel can be produced. The incentives put in place by the Ministers for Finance and Agriculture and Food are welcome.

If somebody had suggested a few years ago that cars, vans, tractors and lorries would be run on a fuel grown by our farmers he or she would have been laughed at but that is occurring. While more research is needed to find the most efficient and cost-effective way of producing bio-fuel, it is important that every incentive be given to producers and farmers to make us reach fuel sufficiency from our natural resources.

I am delighted the Minister for Agriculture and Food announced that REPS farmers are not excluded from the bioenergy scheme despite some scaremongering by some members of the Opposition. Over recent months there has been a noticeable increase in the number of constituents in Sligo-Leitrim inquiring as to what grants are available for those interested in renewable energy. These greener home grants are available for householders who want to install renewable heating sources, such as wood biomass boilers and stoves, solar panel and heat pumps. Individual grants of up to €6,500 are available and I encourage as many people as possible to apply for them. Not only will the grant help to offset the cost of installation but these heating methods help to cut CO2 emissions and thereby lessen the effects of global warming. I congratulate the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources who has secured an extra €20 million in the recent budget to finance the demand for these grants. Many people in Sligo-Leitrim avail of them. We have a target of generating 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2010. Wind, and to a lesser extent, wave, generated energy are two abundant sources which it is important to support to the maximum. The Government's allocation of €119 million to help develop wind and wave electricity is evidence of the commitment to developing alternative renewable sources of energy and is firm proof of the green credentials of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.

I welcome the fact that Fine Gael has taken an interest in energy. For the reasons outlined by the Minister, however, I am unfortunately unable to support the Bill. Energy conservation is important and this Government is committed to developing alternative energy sources.

See this speech in context