Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the role of her Department in the Government Green Paper on Energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40455/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am very conscious of the important role that agriculture and forestry has to play in the development of Ireland's bioenergy resources and my Department had a specific input into the biofuels and biomass aspects of the Green Paper 'Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland'.

Prior to publication of the Green Paper, my Department has participated on a number of interdepartmental committees led by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on the development of Ireland's bioenergy resources. For example, my Department was represented on the 'Bioenergy Strategy Group', which was established to consider policy options and support mechanisms to encourage greater use of biomass for bioenergy. The Group published a Report 'Bioenergy in Ireland' which made a number of recommendations to promote the bioenergy sector in Ireland.

The Report also recognized that the development of bioenergy in Ireland is a cross–sectoral issue impinging on several policy areas. In this regard, my Department has been in direct contact with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in relation to the development of bioenergy from an agriculture perspective. Indeed, I also discussed the issue directly with my colleague, Minister Dempsey. I therefore welcome publication of the Green Paper, which has set a number of ambitious targets to develop Ireland's renewable energy resources to 2020.

I believe the development of an indigenous bioenergy industry presents a new opportunity for Irish agriculture and will help stimulate diversification of farm incomes, generate sustainable employment and contribute to the development of rural economies.

In accordance with the Green Paper, a Ministerial Taskforce has been established to prepare a road map to develop Ireland's bioenergy resources to 2020. I am working closely with my Ministerial colleagues, as part of this Taskforce, to prepare a comprehensive National Bioenergy Action Plan by the end of this year.