Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The White Paper on energy policy, which is the blueprint for the development of Ireland's energy sector, provides for looking at renewables, bio-fuels and alternative sources of fuel for a more competitive energy sector in Ireland. I made the point that with the big switch of grain to bio-fuel production in the United States and the drought in Australia grain prices are rising again after many fallow years. This is a benefit for Irish farmers and a factor in how attractive energy crops may be for the primary agriculture production sector in the future. I see the question as a front-line issue for the Minister with responsibility for environment and energy on how he is promoting the White Paper objectives on energy policy. The Cabinet sub-committee is drawing up scenarios on the impact of the Commission's proposal on greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction it seeks from us, and this will be the priority in the months ahead.

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