Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects his Department to contribute to achievement of targets set in the Kyoto Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6604/06]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his targets for a reduction in the importation of fossil fuels with a view to achieving compliance with Kyoto and improved economic performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6618/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 80 together.

As I mentioned earlier, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has lead responsibility for Government policy on meeting Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol. The energy sector will make its contribution to meeting our obligations under Kyoto through participation in the EU emissions trading scheme. The problem of dealing with high fossil fuel dependence as carbon constraints become more pressing is not unique to Ireland. At EU and international levels, energy policy is focusing increasingly on the development of alternative renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and managing energy demand in response to the need to limit CO2 emissions.

There are also key imperatives for Irish energy policy. We are on target to meet our objective of increasing electricity generated from renewable sources to a minimum of 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. I expect that wind generation will remain the dominant technology in the short term for delivering this target. The forthcoming energy policy paper will address strategies to develop the renewable energy base. In addition, as announced in the recent budget, I am putting in place measures designed to complement and expand on initiatives already in place in the renewable electricity, transport and heat sectors. These new programmes will assist the enhanced deployment of renewable sources of energy over the next five years in the bioenergy, biofuels, CHP and domestic energy sectors.

Energy efficiency has a significant role to play in reducing both energy demand and lowering emissions and is often described as the cheapest and cleanest method of meeting these objectives. It is essential that we continue to raise awareness of this issue right across the economy and bring about a step-change in the way that we use energy. We intend to highlight this, within the Department in terms of an active campaign, towards the end of this year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister accept that investment in research and development is likely to have the greatest impact in terms of broadening the base for renewable energy in the future? Will he agree that this is accepted by the recently published report of the European Commission? Does he not agree that €20 million or €100 million invested in research and development will have much more impact than carbon trading, in terms of value and in terms of achievement of our targets?

Incidentally, if the Minister is getting that electric car, he should not use the Japanese model, the prototype of which was launched recently. It goes at 187 mph and accelerates from zero to 60 mph in three seconds. Even Ministers should be careful about something like that.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy that investment in energy research and development is extremely important. That is why we have focused on this. We are putting in place an energy research council to focus efforts on this and on other areas within the Department. It is extremely important, not just nationally. The EU, in its Seventh Framework Programme, has signalled clearly that it intends to focus on fuel diversity and energy research. That is most welcome and it is something in which we actively participate.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I commend the Minister in having been willing to look at energy policy on a more cross-party partnership basis. I regret our discussions on areas such as this are limited to brief question periods occurring at two or three-monthly intervals but commend the Minister, nonetheless.

Having given the Minister that commendation, however, I am utterly critical of his rose-tinted glasses view of the greenhouse gas situation here and his assertion that we are not as bad as we thought we would be. What we were seeking to do in the cross-party energy analysis was to think long term and to be honest with the people. Will the Minister not agree, based on all the scientific information to hand, that we will be looking at a 60% to 80% reduction in emissions——

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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I call on the Minister for a final reply.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I was not praising us too much in what I said earlier and the situation is not as bad as had been projected. I accept, absolutely, the point the Deputy is making, however. We need to do much better and to examine ways and means to ensure that our emissions are as near to the 13% plus as possible.