Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to develop investment and job creation in the alternative fuel industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32374/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My colleague the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D., has policy responsibility for energy related matters, including the alternative fuel industry.

The Government is firmly committed to the development of bio-energy generally in Ireland and a number of initiatives are already in place to promote the biofuels sector. To this end, a Ministerial Bio-Energy Task Force was set up in July 2006. The Task Force, of which I am a member, is chaired by my colleague, Minister Noel Dempsey. The primary objective of the Task Force is to draw up a cohesive national bio-energy strategy by the end of the year, which will set targets for deployment of bio-energy, identify priority areas for development and the necessary support measures to encourage supply and demand. This strategy will also take account of EU developments, and the views of key stakeholders under the Energy Green Paper consultation process.

From an enterprise development perspective, Enterprise Ireland offers both feasibility and research and development support to clients operating in this sector. I am currently considering how my Department and agencies can further contribute to the stimulation and development of a viable alternative fuels industry and this will be addressed as part of the national bio-energy strategy currently being formulated by the Ministerial Task Force.