Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 662: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which his future plans are expected to reduce emissions in line with Kyoto; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2208/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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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. While the energy sector plays an active part in contributing to the attainment of Ireland's Kyoto objective, the Government continues to be committed to the maintenance of a balanced fuels policy in the interest of security of supply. Fuel mix will continue to be a critical component in national security of supply given Ireland's dependence on imports for about 80% of fuel for electricity generation.

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 the future support scheme 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. I intend that the forthcoming energy policy consultative paper will address strategies to both broaden and deepen the renewable energy base.

In addition, as announced in the recent budget I am putting in place new measures, which are designed to complement and expand on initiatives already in place in the renewable electricity, transport and heat sectors. The measures include a multiannual financial package of €65 million for the roll out of renewable energy schemes and a five year biofuels excise relief package costing €205 million. These programmes will assist the large-scale deployment of renewable sources of energy over the next five years in the bioenergy, biofuels, CHP and domestic energy sectors.

Energy efficiency has a significant role to play in reducing both in reducing energy demand and lowering emissions and is often described as the cheapest and cleanest method of meeting these objectives. Our primary energy intensity has been decreasing since 1990 with the average decrease being 3% per annum. 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.