Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

That is why we have practically doubled the budget for the warmer home scheme to assist people in low-income housing to cut back on the use of fuel, which is the best long-term solution, rather than trying to reduce tax which is a short-term solution.

The Deputy is correct in saying that at present it is impossible under World Trade Organisation rules to differentiate between various bio-fuels. They are sold globally and purchased on spot markets, so one does not have ultimate traceability. That is why it is important to support, as I have done, Commissioner Piebalgs and Commissioner Dimas in their attempts to establish a new system to ensure full traceability on the energy efficiency of bio-fuel crops. There are concerns that one might use as much energy in creating certain bio-fuels as one would obtain from them. The new EU system will also determine whether the bio-fuel is from a sustainable resource. It is important to support that EU initiative. It is the only way of achieving such traceability and obtaining a secure supply of bio-fuels, which we use not only to reduce our emissions but also, crucially, as a back-up stock in case of future oil supply difficulties, while helping Irish agriculture in the process.

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