Dáil debates

Thursday, 11 October 2012

3:35 pm

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 17 together.


The existing energy services directive, Directive 2006/32/EC, was fully transposed by SI 542 of 2009, the European Communities (Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that Ireland is not in compliance with its existing EU obligations.


The current national energy efficiency action plan was published in May 2009 and outlined the framework for delivering Ireland’s energy efficiency targets by 2020. This action plan was a requirement under the energy services directive and further updates will be required in 2014 and 2017. The second action plan, which I will be bringing to Government shortly, provides a progress report on delivery of the national energy savings targets implemented under current EU requirements as well as energy efficiency policy priorities between now and 2020. The action plan will show that Ireland is on track to deliver the 20% energy saving target.


My Department has participated in a number of conferences organised by the sustainable energy for the rural village environment project, including most recently last Friday, 5 October, and is fully aware of the research undertaken to date.


The new energy efficiency directive, which will supersede the existing energy services directive, has been adopted by the Council of Ministers and European Parliament. It will translate elements of the European efficiency plan into binding measures on member states, including an annual rate of renovation for central government buildings of 3%; an inventory of central government buildings with a total useful floor area over certain thresholds; an obligation on public bodies to procure products, services and buildings with high energy efficient performance; obligations on industry relating to energy audits and energy management systems; and a common framework for national energy savings obligation schemes equivalent to annual energy savings of 1.5% of energy sales. The new directive will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union in November and will enter into force in 2014. Transposition of the directive will be progressed over the coming months.


The 3% renovation target for central government buildings represents a challenge for Departments and the Office of Public Works but the energy savings will greatly outweigh the costs of renovation. We will work closely with the OPW over the coming months to prepare a plan for the realisation of this target. In respect of the proposed 1.5% obligation scheme in article 7, which is at the heart of the new directive, it is clear this will be a difficult target to deliver. Our intention is to work constructively over the next 12 months with energy suppliers already engaged in delivering energy saving targets to construct a suitable obligation scheme.


Adequate private and public funding is critical to delivering on the objectives, particularly in article 5. In this context measures to address Government debt and accounting barriers are required if we are to realise the potential for energy performance contracting in the public sector. It is my intention to bring forward a memorandum for the Government in due course, following a consultation process on the new directive, to set out in detail the key provisions and challenges inherent in implementation, including the costs and benefits.

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