James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I am pleased that the Minister with responsibility for this area is present for the debate on the Bill. The main objective of the Bill is to ensure that 4% of transport fuels would come from renewable sources. The Minister's announcement in November 2009 that fuel suppliers would be obliged to include 4% of bio-fuels in their annual fuel sales under the bio-fuels obligation scheme will be enforced from July of this year. As always, there is a European Union input to the legislation as the reform comes under the renewable energy directive 2009. The EU has set a target that 10% of fuels would come from renewables by 2020. I do not believe that target will be reached if it is left to the Green Party and Fianna Fáil. I am pleased that elections will take place in the intervening period. I have every confidence in our party implementing those policies when we get the opportunity.

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