Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects the development of alternative energy to grow, notwithstanding targets already set but in view of the likelihood of a dramatically increased demand for energy in this jurisdiction over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13851/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Within the electricity market, the renewables directive, Directive 2001/77/EC, obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The Minister is firmly committed to ensuring that we meet the target. Targets beyond 2010 will be determined in the context of the development of an all-island electricity market. The aim is to develop a long-term strategy to support increased renewable energy penetration on the island as a whole. To this end a consultation paper entitled, 2020 Vision for Renewable Energy, was published in July 2005. The responses to this paper are available on the Department's website and will inform future policy in this area. As part of this work a major grid study is under way to examine the implications of significantly increased renewables in the electricity mix on the island by 2020.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to develop the energy market in line with the backdrop of the EU Green Paper on energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13852/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 74 of today.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to be in a position to provide adequate research and development facilities with a view to the development of alternative energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13853/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 104 of today.