Shane Ross (Independent)

The matter I raise is the need for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to improve existing methods of carbon emissions reduction and support the development of alternative methods. It may surprise the Minister to learn that I have received a large number of representations recently about the slow development of alternative methods of energy generation. This is especially surprising given the significant and important Green Party element in the Government. I wonder why this is the case. The reason may be that such representations are made by vested interests. I see nothing wrong with vested interests where alternative energy is concerned. It is our job to promote the vested interests of alternative energy producers because they coincide with the national interest.

This issue is especially topical this month because of the initiatives which have been taken by President Obama in the United States where carbon emissions regulations have been lifted and now appear to be a matter for individual states. This measure will obviously give a major boost to alternative energy initiatives and will, I hope, change regulations for the better. It is certainly a turnaround from the hardline stance taken by President Bush and other governments on alternative energy. I suppose it has been taken in light of the bail out in Detroit and the need to create alternatives to using fossil fuels.

The impression is abroad that whereas bio-fuels are a problem for Ireland owing to the distance to areas where sugar cane is grown, other alternatives are not sufficiently promoted. I have been requested specifically to ask the Minister what action is being taken on the use of seaweed as a source of energy. Ireland has a fantastic opportunity to improve its carbon emissions reductions by promoting seaweed or algae as an energy source. It is easy to generate energy from seaweed and the material is reasonably cheap and accessible.

I understand heating and fuel account for approximately 75% of our energy consumption. Seaweed would be a particularly appropriate source of energy for this purpose. The reason the use of seaweed as a source of energy is not being more actively promoted by the Government is not clear. I am interested in learning from the Minister what the obstacles are to encouraging the use of seaweed as an alternative source of energy.

I have received representations, over several years, about wave energy. I have knocked my head against the wall about various projects of this type. I am happy to admit the representations came from people who wanted to promote wave energy projects and who found the frustrations of dealing with bureaucracy almost impossible to overcome. Many of them have given up, some have died and some are old and dispirited because their championing of wave or tidal energy has been so frustrating. The outlook now, based on the latest figures, suggests that wave energy is 20 years away and tidal energy might be five years away. I see the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is shaking his head.

Wind energy is another matter which it would be interesting to hear about. There are two types, offshore and onshore, and offshore is double the expense of onshore. I understand the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, said that the Government wants to reach a wind energy target of 30% or 40% by 2020, whereas we currently get approximately 6% or 7%. Those aims are quite unambitious. The issue is not simply that fossil fuel is expensive and may run out, but also that it is damaging to the environment and we have alternatives which we can promote more rapidly. I know there is a funding problem but it is a long-term investment which I suspect will pay off in the end.

The main obstructions, about which I hear from people involved in all of these industries, are not just ESB and the grid infrastructure — which is being delayed, particularly in the area of wind energy — but also the regulator. The complaints I receive are that the allocation of contracts by the regulator is on a first-come, first-served basis and that it might be better if a clearer, more competitive and totally transparent basis were used for the allocation of contracts so there would be no delays. There is no excuse, if the alternatives are available and there are entrepreneurs ready to promote them, in having bureaucratic or semi-State obstacles to prevent this particularly laudable form of alternative energy being promoted. It has not only good financial effects but also great environmental effects.