Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

Some of these amendments are technical in their appearance. They were drafted on foot of consultations with the Parliamentary Counsel's office. There is no policy change regarding the sections but they are proposed to clarify some of the provisions. On the advice of the Parliamentary Counsel, amendments Nos. 23 and 34 amend the wording slightly regarding the green and combined heat and power, CHP, licences to provide more clarity to the text. The purpose of the provisions is to ensure that CER has sufficient flexibility in providing for trading arrangements for green and CHP licence holders. The original text contained a slight ambiguity regarding the purchase of electricity generated from CHP and renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of energy. The new text removes that ambiguity and makes it clear trading can take place.

Amendment No. 51 replaces the formula used for calculating the relative amount of primary energy savings provided by combined heat and power production as it was identified that it must be updated for clarity and consistency with the relevant European Union directive from which it is derived. The formula is outlined.