Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Energy efficiency is extremely important and has been accorded a high priority by me and the Government. I have contributed to a number of EU Energy Council meetings on the issue which I regard as an extremely important policy imperative. Energy efficiency features centrally in the current negotiations on the European fund for strategic investment for this reason. Ring-fencing is one approach that has been discussed in the European Parliament. The Government's position is correct; we should not be excessively prescriptive regarding the scope of the European Investment Bank to manage the fund. The debate on this issue is continuing.

As to any particular telephone call between the Taoiseach and Seán Kelly, MEP, I am not privy to, nor am I aware of, any such telephone call and I do not know whether one took place. The Deputy has another route available to him if he wishes to ask a question about the matter.

See this speech in context