John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Our ocean energy strategy is aimed to position us at the cutting edge of development involving research and development, prototype testing and commercialisation targeted for 2020.

Bio-energy is another renewable area where we have the potential to make a significant difference to our energy mix. Bio-energy is energy from crops, trees, sawdust, and by-products such as tallow, farm wastes and waste vegetable oil. These can be converted to produce electricity, transport fuels or heating fuels. In the case of heating fuels, biomass energy can be considerably less expensive than conventional fuels such as oil or electricity. As a clean fuel, it reduces harmful CO2 emissions, thereby protecting the environment and helping Ireland meet its Kyoto obligations.

The development of bio-energy resources impacts on our energy security in terms of the development of an indigenous energy resource as well as contributing to competitiveness by creating employment opportunities and, in some cases, lowering energy costs to industry and domestic users. It also has a wider impact by facilitating rural development by providing new opportunities for farmers and foresters to diversify into the growing of energy crops or plantations.

A bio-energy ministerial task force, chaired by the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has been established to develop a national bio-fuels strategy. The task force members include the Tánaiste, and the Ministers for Finance, Agriculture and Food, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Transport and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Taoiseach's office is also represented on the task force. The task force has agreed to draw up a comprehensive national bio-energy action plan by the end of the year, which will set ambitious targets for deployment of bio-energy, identify priority areas for development and the necessary support measures to encourage supply and demand. This strategy will be formulated in the light of EU developments and will take account of the Green Paper on energy consultation process.

Energy efficiency is a key part of the Government's energy policy and a crucial element of a sustainable energy policy which has direct impacts on the challenges of security of supply and competitiveness. It is also a major priority on both EU and international agendas. The national Power of One campaign, launched last month, has been created with one single overriding objective: to achieve real and measurable change in consumer awareness and behaviour towards energy efficiency.

Meaningful improvements in levels of energy efficiency will help consumers and the economy to control the costs of energy. That is good for the consumer and business and makes profound sense for the economy. That is why the Government is intent on engaging with and motivating individual citizens to take action and reduce the impacts of energy consumption. With strong leadership the public attitude to wasting energy can be changed, much the same as attitudes have been dramatically changed in recent times with regard to smoking in the workplace or the use of plastic bags.

The Green Paper suggests a quantifiable target of a 20% reduction in energy demand by 2020. Achieving this will mean a change in behaviour and attitudes right across wider society. The Power of One campaign will run for an initial two-year period and involves a major advertising and media campaign supported by an extensive communications programme. The concept of Power of One is that the sum of individual effort by consumers as well as enterprise can and will make a substantial difference.

The publication of the Green Paper on energy commenced a two-month period of debate and consultation, a phase of the policymaking process which is very important. This presents a unique opportunity for the stakeholders at every level in the industry and right across wider society to comment and make an input into the development of an energy strategy which will deliver for the future. The Green Paper sets out a range of questions on which we are especially interested in hearing the views of stakeholders, but we will welcome all and any comments offered.

Consultation and discussion in the Oireachtas is an integral part of this phase. I therefore again welcome the input from parliamentary colleagues, in particular the support set out in the motion before the House. I appreciate Members' interest in debating the Green Paper so soon after publication. This helps all of us to highlight the importance of energy policy to the public and to bring the consultation process into public view.

The policy choices and targets set out in the Green Paper are designed to combine in a coherent way to shape the future of the energy sector positively and improve its contribution to competitiveness and well-being. In 2020 Ireland will be a fully sustainable, secure, efficient, affordable and competitive all-island energy market, supporting environmental, economic and social policy objectives. The market will have secure and reliable energy supplies, competitive prices and cleaner and more diverse energy sources underpinned by robust interconnection, optimum infrastructure and ambitious technology investment.

The Green Paper is the blueprint for creating an energy sector which will deliver for consumers, the economy and all our citizens. We must move from proposed directions to a definitive policy framework. More importantly, we must identify and put in place the practical actions and targets that will enable Ireland to achieve a sustainable energy future. Consultation is a key part of this process and this evening the Senate is making a key contribution to the necessary public debate. I commend the motion to the House.