Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. Tréaslaím leis mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Quinn, as ucht an cheist seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid inniu. Is ábhar fíor-thábhachtach é cheist an fhuinnimh. Tá an tábhacht a bhaineann le bheith neamhspleách i gcúrsaí fuinnimh fite fuaite le cheist cosaint na timpeallachta. Mar sin, tréaslaím leis an Seanadóir.

Senator Quinn must be commended for raising this highly relevant issue. It is vital we continue to work towards having a safe and sustainable low-carbon economy. To put this matter in context, we have an obligation to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 through a combined approach of using 20% renewable energies by 2020 and increasing energy efficiency by 20% in time for 2020. This is the so-called 20-20-20 package.

The Government has committed to achieving by 2020 a 20% reduction in energy demand across the whole of the economy through energy efficiency measures. Recognising that the Government must lead by example, it is right that we are committed to achieving a 33% reduction in public sector energy use.

The 2007 White Paper on energy set a target of 33% for electricity consumption from renewable resources by 2020, but the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has revised Ireland's renewable energy target upwards in this year's carbon budget. The new target is 40% of electricity consumption from renewable generation by 2020.

By way of the Irish energy research programmes, €12.675 million will be established for energy research, which includes a €7 million allocation for ocean energy research programmes. Hopefully this will see progress on the establishment of a grid-connected test facility off the coast of Mayo. It will also fund grant assistance under the ocean energy prototype fund, among other measures.

In the long-term, we have reason to be even more optimistic. We should aim for Ireland to become a technology leader in wave-tide energy. Why not? Just as Denmark led the way in wind power, Ireland could become a leader in this new technology, thus creating an industry in supplying the rest of the world.

The achievement of our renewable energy targets will require an investment in infrastructure. EirGrid calculates that a €4 billion investment is needed in the period up to 2025. We must not underestimate the planning difficulties in terms of construction of wind farms and the transport of energy from west to east. Sites designated under the habitats and birds directives are subject to fairly strict protection under EU law. If these realities are not taken into account early in policy and project development, then problems can and will emerge.

We need better regulation to enable new renewable electricity producers to gain access to the grid. We also need a change in attitude on the part of all of us to accept that wind turbines and wave energy solutions will have a visual impact on our landscape and coasts. However, provided this is managed properly, it is preferable to the legacy of increased climate damage and the exhaustion of all fossil fuel resources, which we will otherwise pass on to our grandchildren.

Wind energy is crucial both as a short and medium-term priority. Studies have indicated that onshore and offshore wind turbines can deliver at least 40% of our energy requirements, which currently stand at roughly 5,000 MW of electricity.

The State already has about 800 MW of power from wind turbines, which will substantially increase if applications by wind-park developers are successful. The Government will likely surpass its goal of having 1,200 MW of wind power by 2010. The goal is to get 40% of Ireland's electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

We are in a unique position when it comes to wind energy potential. The average capacity factory for onshore wind turbines - the measure of how much time the turbine is cranking out power - is 25% in Europe. In Ireland it is 35%. It is important to remember also that it costs less to generate power from wind than from gas.

Dublin has joined the Covenant of Mayors, an initiative in EU cities to go beyond the EU targets of 20-20-20 by 2020. Local authorities have a key role in mitigating climate change. More than half of greenhouse gas emissions are created in and by cities. Some 80% of the population lives and works in cities where up to 80% of energy is consumed. Local authorities, being the closest administrations to citizens, are ideally positioned to understand these concerns. Moreover, they can address challenges in a comprehensive way, thus facilitating the conciliation between public and private interests. They can also facilitate the integration of sustainable energy into overall local development goals, be it through the development of alternative energy, more efficient energy use, or changes in behaviour.

Local governments must therefore become leading actors for implementing sustainable energy policies and must be recognised and supported in their efforts. The Covenant of Mayors is an ambitious initiative of the European Commission that gives the lead to Europe's pioneering cities to mitigate climate change through the implementation of intelligent, local and sustainable energy policies. These policies create stable local jobs and increase citizens' quality of life as well as addressing crucial social issues.

I wish to conclude with a word on nuclear fission energy. I realise this is the hot-button topic in any debate of this kind and I have noted the amendment proposed my Fine Gael colleagues. It has been a success in France, where about 80% of energy is nuclear sourced. We must acknowledge that nuclear energy is capable of stimulating job growth in local communities. Nuclear energy is also a baseload energy, that is, a source of constantly generated energy, which is an important supplement to other forms of renewable energy that tend to fluctuate more in output.

Even though it has a good safety track record in developed countries, we must be very careful in our deliberations on this particular energy source as the potential for catastrophic harm is so great. Safety is not the only issue regarding nuclear energy. Approved nuclear units produce 1.2 gigawatts of energy, far in advance of what Ireland needs. Perhaps we could develop greater energy interconnection with the UK. We could develop a trade in wind and nuclear energy which would be to the mutual benefit to both parties.

I thank Senator Quinn again for highlighting this vital issue of energy independence and the related issue renewable energy. If we manage renewable energy effectively now, we will greatly enhance the prospects of Ireland becoming a cleaner and more economically stable environment in which our children and grandchildren may flourish. If, however, we fail to manage renewable energy effectively or waste time before giving it the requisite attention, the environmental and economic consequences will be dire. Gabhaim míle buíochas arís leis an Seanadóir Quinn as ucht an ábhar seo a chur ar aghaidh chun díospóireachta inniu.