Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which Ireland is dependent on imports for energy supplies; his plans for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2053/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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According to figures supplied by the energy policy statistical support unit, EPSSU, of Sustainable Energy Ireland, Ireland's total primary energy requirement for 2004 was 15,341 kilotonnes of oil equivalent, ktoe. Some 13,801 ktoe — 89% — of this was imported.

Overall energy policy stresses the importance of security of supply and diversity of fuel sources which are key energy policy imperatives for the Government. I am committed to progressively increase the share of renewable and wherever possible, indigenous energy sources. However, the reality is that for the foreseeable future, Ireland, like much of the European Union, will remain dependent on imports for the majority of our energy needs.

Our dependency on energy imports underlines the priority need to continue to enhance interconnections in the medium term. There is also scope to tackle the demand side through improved energy efficiency measures by the economic sectors and by consumers generally. We will continue to give priority focus to increasing the contribution of renewable energy sources.