Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy in respect of fuel use and production with a view to achieving targets entered into under the Kyoto Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20039/05]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to alter dependency on CO2 emitting fuels in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20037/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he proposes to alter dependency on CO2 emitting fuels in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20337/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his policy in respect of fuel use and production with a view to achieving targets entered into under the Kyoto Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20338/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to bring about compliance with the Kyoto Protocols in respect of emission and to encourage a reduction on this country's dependency on imported fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20365/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 94, 206, 207 and 231 together.

My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has lead responsibility for Government policy on meeting Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol.

The energy sector will make its contribution to meeting our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol through participation in the EU emissions trading scheme. The scheme entails capping CO2 emissions on a path to Kyoto compliance from participating sectors and is currently in the 2005 to 2007 pilot phase. The second phase of the scheme from 2008 to 2012 will match the Kyoto commitment period.

The problem of dealing with fossil fuel dependence as carbon constraints become more pressing is not unique to Ireland. At an international level, energy policy is increasingly focusing on the development of alternative renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and managing energy demand in response to the need to limit CO2 emissions.

Insofar as our fuel use and dependence on CO2 emitting fuels is concerned, the Government continues to be committed to the maintenance of a balanced fuels policy in the interest of security of supply and intends that this balance is maintained for the future. Fuel mix is an important component in security of supply. Ireland has relatively little by way of indigenous fossil fuel resources and is dependent on imports for about 80% of fuel for electricity generation. The coming on stream of the Corrib gas field will change this dynamic but without future gas discoveries the change is not likely to be significant in the long term.

We are committed to increasing electricity generated from renewable sources to a minimum of 13.2% of total consumption by 2010 in line with EU requirements. I have already announced that future support for renewable energy will be on the basis of a fixed price as opposed to rounds of competitive tendering, and I expect that wind generation will remain the dominant technology in the short term for delivering this target.

The report of the renewable energy development group, which I intend to publish shortly, will form the basis for future policy decision on the increased penetration of renewable technologies in the electricity market. While we want to maximise the potential use of renewable energy in our fuel mix, it is necessary to recognise that in addition to technical issues there is an additional cost involved and that we need to achieve a balance between the price effect and the balance of our fuel mix.

I consider that a more structured approach to energy research and development has an important role to play in developing our renewable energy capability beyond wind. We are assessing responses to a consultation paper which I published recently and will take account of those responses in formulating a new approach in this area.

Energy efficiency has a significant role to play in reducing energy demand and is often described as the cheapest and cleanest method of meeting this objective. Our primary energy intensity, the ratio of primary energy consumption over GDP, has been decreasing since 1990 with the average decrease being 3% per annum. The structure of the economy, fuel choices for electricity generation and real energy efficiency gains have all played a part here. It is essential that we continue to build on this successful base by raising awareness right across the economy and bring about a step-change in the way that we use energy.

Biofuels are an alternative renewable fuel source for the transport sector and Sustainable Energy Ireland is funding a number of biomass projects and studies through its renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme. We are currently assessing applications in our recent call for proposals under the biofuels mineral oil tax relief scheme and expect to be in a position to make recommendation to the Minister for Finance shortly. Ireland is starting from a very low production base and this scheme is an initial measure designed to stimulate market development. Further measures to increase market penetration over a longer timeframe are currently being considered.

Our fuel mix for the future will also be influenced by the development of a single electricity market on an all-island basis and also by the Government's decision to approve the development of an east-west electricity interconnector with Wales. Increasing the critical mass of the electricity market and developing interconnection north-south and east-west are critical developments to take advantage of the scale of an all-island system as well as access to the UK market through a new interconnector. This project is being pursued by the Commission for Energy Regulation and will, in all likelihood, result in a 500 MW interconnector between ourselves and the UK. This will give us access to electricity from the UK and also improve our capacity to increase the level of renewable energy on our own system.