Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the role his Department has played in setting up the energy research funding within the next European Union seventh framework research programme; and if a national Government will argue for a greater level of funding to be directed to renewable energy research projects in comparison with nuclear power research. [28689/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for the articulation, at EU level, of Ireland's position on the EU framework programme. The proposed framework programme includes a wide range of sectoral and thematic research areas such as information technologies, life sciences, food, marine, energy, aeronautics, and atomic energy.

My Department continues to liaise with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the Irish position on energy research under the proposed seventh framework programme and the underpinning specific programmes being developed by the European Commission for debate at the European Competitiveness Council. Ireland will continue to advocate strongly for support for renewable energy research as a priority area under the framework programme.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the timescale that is envisaged by the Commission for Energy Regulation to complete the processing of application from wind turbine generating farms in gate 2 series of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28767/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Gate 2 applications are grid connection processing issues between the Commission for Energy Regulation, the system operator and individual developers in the first instance. I have no function in this process.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if outstanding issues with the Energy Regulator relating to gate 1 applicants are impeding the processing of gate 2 applicants; if so, the closing date that is envisaged to have all matters relating to gate 1 applicants finalised by the Commission for Energy Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28778/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Gate 1 and gate 2 applications are grid connection processing issues between the Commission for Energy Regulation, the system operator and individual developers in the first instance. I have no function in this process.