Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if any assumptions have been made on the likely price of oil in 2020 in view of his Department's role in the long-term planning of Irish energy policy; and if so, the projected price per barrel that has been used. [28687/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have instructed my officials to draft a comprehensive policy statement which fully addresses the issues and challenges that lie ahead in the energy area. It is my intention that the policy paper will have both a medium and a long-term perspective, explaining the policies that are in place now and which will have a direct effect over the next five years or so, and also looking forward to 2020 and beyond to assess what our energy needs might be and what policies we might adopt to ensure that those needs can be met in a sustainable way. Estimates of energy demand in the future will always depend on assumptions about a range of variables, including fuel prices. Work on all aspects of the policy paper, including estimates of energy demand in 2020, are under way but have not been completed. I aim to have a completed paper ready for publication in 2006.