Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know a number of other countries have taken different approaches and France has been mentioned numerous times. France's approach for the future is underpinned by an energy mix of 50% renewables, which is excellent, and 50% nuclear, which is completely different from what we are facing here in the Irish scenario. Scotland has proposed climate change legislation but it is also a major producer of oil and gas from the North Sea, so the elements are not mutually exclusive.

We are trying to reduce the use of fossil fuels and energy use through the grant system approved by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI. Previously we had questions relating to the use of plastics, and the appetite for a new directive is growing across Europe. We have to understand there are new technologies that are not here yet but may come here to help reduce the use of fossil fuels in jet fuel and the marine sector, both of which use large amounts of such fuels. The aim of the Government is to reduce the use of fossil fuels, although they will remain part of our energy mix for a period.

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