Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

The Green Paper was full of half measures and aspirational ideas rather than concrete costs and policies.

Although I am short of time, I wish to detail some of Fine Gael's policies. These include the removal of all excise duties on bio-fuels produced from renewable energy crops; targeted grants to encourage householders to convert to renewable energy for home heating; reform of the vehicle registration tax system through the establishment of energy efficient labelling for motor vehicles, with lower and higher rates of VRT for fuel efficient and inefficient vehicles, respectively; the creation of a market for bio-fuels by legislating that all motor fuels must include a blend of fuel from renewable sources, that all petrol sold will include a 5% bioethanol mix and that all diesel will contain a 2% bio-diesel mix; the requirement for all public transport vehicles and public service vehicles to convert, where practicable and feasible, to forms of bio-fuel; the establishment of a centre of excellence for alternative energy which will be charged with ensuring Ireland develops a world-class alternative energy sector; and the amending of the national spatial strategy, including with regard to major renewable energy infrastructure projects.