Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 656: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied regarding adequacy of his plans to encourage alternative energy production with particular reference to hydro, wind, bio-mass; if the associated costs are a deterrent to the development of the alternative fuel industry; his proposals to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2202/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The development of renewable energy technologies isa key priority for the Government. The constraints to the greater deployment of these technologies in the electricity market at this time is a combination of concerns about system stability in the case of wind powered technology and the technical status of and market interest in the other renewable energy technologies as well as cost.

The ongoing growth of these technologies on the electricity system will be achieved in incremental phases. I have already announced a new support programme to assist developers to construct additional renewable energy powered electricity generating plants. The aim of the REFIT programme and the preceding AER programme is to more than double the contribution of renewable energy technologies from approximately 5% of total electricity consumption to more than 13% by 2010. I am confident that the contribution of the renewables will continue to expand on the basis that technological breakthrough will over time enable us to harness them more effectively and cheaply.