Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will report to Dáil Éireann on any plans to provide market support mechanisms for biomass given its potential for Ireland as an energy source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8205/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In December 2003 my Department, in association with SEI, set up a bioenergy strategy group, BSG, to consider the policy options and support mechanisms available to Government to stimulate increased use of biomass for energy conversion, and to make specific recommendations for action to increase the penetration of biomass energy in Ireland. Membership of the BSG comprised representatives of various Departments as well as State agencies in the agriculture and energy sectors and industry representatives.

In tandem with this development, the Department launched a consultation process on future development of renewable energy generally in Ireland. Following on this consultation process, and to ensure future development of our renewable resources, including biomass resources, the renewable energy development group was established on 6 May 2004. The group is chaired by my Department and comprises relevant experts from the administrative, industry and scientific sector including the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, ESB national grid and the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, amongst others.

The bioenergy strategy group is currently inputting into the renewable energy development group, which is at the end of its current work phase. The report of the renewable energy development group is expected shortly and will form the basis of my future policy decisions on the increased penetration of renewable energy technologies, including biomass, in the electricity market and will seek to ensure that developers can make a reasonable rate of return on renewable energy projects while ensuring that the interests of national competitiveness and the ultimate burden of cost to the final consumer are all fully taken into consideration. It is more than likely that I will publish the report but I have no particular plans in regard to reporting on it to Dáil Éireann.