Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 113: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of the recently launched Energy Green Paper; his views on revising the targets as set out in the Green Paper or inserting measures to deal with fuel poverty or microgeneration; when the consultation process on the Green Paper will come to an end; the timeframe for the publication of the Energy White Paper; if a comprehensive energy bill will follow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33401/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Energy Green Paper "Towards a Sustainable Energy Future" is the first comprehensive Energy Green Paper published by Government since the mid-1970s. The Paper sets out the proposed policy directions, targets and actions proposed out to 2020 for security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness, as the three main pillars of energy policy.

The Green Paper has been published as a consultative document and while I believe that the targets set in it are challenging but attainable, they are open to review in light of the consultation process. Fuel poverty and microgeneration among other key policy measures will also be the subject of consultation over coming weeks. The consultation period continues until 1st December 2006 and I expect to be in a position to publish an Energy White Paper setting out a definitive policy framework early in 2007.

The need for additional legislative measures to underpin policy directions will be reviewed in the context of finalising the White Paper. I would note that the Energy (Miscellaneous) Bill and the National Oil Reserves Agency Bill currently before the Oireachtas together with the forthcoming Single Electricity Market Bill already represent significant new legislative arrangements for the energy sector going forward.