Results 7,101-7,120 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: In contrast, the Government has taken a clear and ambitious approach to the development of a bio-fuels market.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: On Monday, I announced the Government will introduce a bio-fuels obligation to ensure bio-fuels represent 5.75% of Ireland's transport fuel market by 2009 and 10% by 2020. If Fine Gael had read the Green Paper, it would have seen these targets.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputies should read the Green Paper. Unlike the mandate system proposed by Fine Gael, the bio-fuels obligation will require fuel supply companies to ensure bio-fuels represent certain percentages of their fuel sales on an annual basis. By 2009 this will be 5.75%.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Companies will have to account for their fuel mix on an annual basis and if they do not reach the obligated limit, they will have to pay a fixed amount penalty per litre for the amount of the target not achieved. The obligation will allow Ireland to achieve the EU bio-fuels directive target a year in advance of the 2010 deadline. The establishment of a further target for 2020 is in line with...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: This in turn will assist industry and the farming sector in developing appropriate financing, planting, refining, storage, distribution and supply chain logistics.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Member states across Europe are increasingly opting for bio-fuels obligations as the preferred policy route. Nine other member states have now signalled their intention to introduce bio-fuels obligations, including the UK, Germany, France, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria and Finland. The Government is not aware of any member state that has proposed a mandate...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: When the Deputy is in a hole, he should stop digging.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Ireland's bio-fuels obligation will be introduced in 2009 and I intend to embark on extensive consultations with relevant sectors over the coming months about its implementation. The details of the measure must be carefully drafted to maximise the benefit to the economy and the environment. The public consultation will, therefore, include discussions with the traditional fuel and emerging...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: These reports will set targets to 2020 for renewable energy in the heat, transport and electricity sectors and will provide a roadmap for future policy development.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The introduction of the obligation follows the successful roll-out of two bio-fuels mineral oil tax relief schemes in 2005 and 2006.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Under these schemes, almost €220 million in excise relief is being provided over six years for a range of bio-fuel projects. The projects range in size and structure and include bio-diesel, bio-ethanol and pure plant oil projects.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Eight projects were successful in the first scheme, and 16 were selected under the second scheme. Significant volumes of bio-fuels are already coming on stream in the fuel market. For example, ConocoPhillips at the Whitegate refinery, has already commenced distribution of bio-fuel complying with the diesel standard. Diesel pumps throughout Munster are selling diesel, a percentage of which...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: ——under which an establishment grant and annual premium are paid.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: This scheme was announced last week. Fine Gael, without doing its research on the issue, ran with a newspaper article which claimed that REPS farmers were excluded from the scheme.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, confirmed that farmers participating in REPS can obtain the energy crop premium and the establishment grants for areas planted with either willow or miscanthus. The remainder of the land continues to be eligible for REPS payment. The Minister is reviewing the overall position in the context of preparations for the introduction of REPS 4. The new REP scheme is...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: ——and are positioning Irish market players to participate in the longer-term market that we are creating through the implementation of a bio-fuels obligation.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The overall new investment being facilitated by the Government amounts to more than €400 million and is a clear indication of its commitment to the development of a vibrant renewable energy sector in Ireland. In tandem with our initiatives to support renewable energy deployment, the Government is encouraging consumers to think about energy usage. Deputies are undoubtedly familiar with my...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: It has been hugely successful to date. The dedicated website has been visited by more than 35,000 people, and 25,000 information packs have already been despatched from our mailing centre. We will shortly extend that campaign into a Power of One Street campaign. The Government has clearly had significant success to date in the area of bio-fuels. While I appreciate Fine Gael's intention in...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: ——with a view to providing a carefully considered measure that is in line with EU policies, is legal and delivers tangible benefits for the environment, rural communities and for an emerging and vibrant Irish bio-fuels sector.

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (7 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Under the 2000-2006 National Development Plan (NDP) investment in Co. Kildare via my Department saw the completion the ESBT (Electricity Supply Board Telecom) backhaul fibre which crosses south Kildare. In addition two group broadband scheme projects in Co. Kildare are currently being rolled out by their respective service providers. Ten Phase 2 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) benefiting...