Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: 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. [13804/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Within the electricity market, the renewables 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 has stated his firm commitment to ensuring Ireland meets 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 my Department's website and will inform future policy in this area. As part of this work, a major grid study is under way jointly with Northern Ireland to asses the implications of significantly increased renewables in the electricity mix on the island by 2020.