Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The target we have set of achieving 15% of our overall energy mix from sustainable sources will be reached this year. As the Deputy knows, we have a longer term plan to reach a target of 40% sustainable energy to meet our overall energy requirements. There is a lot of work ongoing in regard to that. The Minister, I think everyone will agree, is very committed to that area and is pursuing it, as are the ESB and other incumbents in the energy market. We now have a more competitive energy market and certainly not one that is dominated by any one company, although the ESB is clearly the largest player in the market. Viridian and others in the market are moving in that direction and looking at having an investment programme that will see an increase in sustainable energy sources in the future.

I commend councillors, whether in Clare or anywhere else, where they can see an advantage or where they have a resource that can be harnessed. Obviously, one welcomes the broad, unanimous support there is for moving in that direction, but it is important to point out the Government is committed to this area. Moving to a more sustainable energy source is important for us. We can become net exporters in due course. We have an interconnector with which we are proceeding at the moment. We have unified the electricity sector on an all-island basis and there has been a lot of co-operation undertaken in that area, much to the benefit of all consumers, North and South. Whether in wind energy or wave energy, a number of projects being undertaken hold some prospects. Were they to prove as successful as those involved hope for, they would make a very serious contribution towards changing the energy landscape in Ireland over a period of time. It is an area to which we are committed.

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