Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny was recently excluded from the second round of the excise derogation for biofuels scheme which is operated by his Department; the criteria used to determine successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41221/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be granted a meeting with officials from his Department as requested; when this meeting will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41222/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.

The Biofuels Mineral Oil Tax Relief Scheme II was launched on 25 July 2006, with a closing date of 28 August 2006. The scheme was rolled out on a similar basis to the 2005 pilot scheme in that it was a competitive call for proposals comprising an open and transparent process in which the scoring mechanism was published as part of the application form and accompanying documentation. Following the launch of the scheme, an assessment panel was formed, comprising officials from my Department, Sustainable Energy Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The scheme was the subject of a State Aids application which has been approved by the Commission. Under State Aids Rules the process must be open and fair and subject to single market rules.

There were 102 applications received under the Scheme. The range and quality of applications was exceptionally high and the panel was faced with difficult decisions across all four categories of biofuels. While the application in question was of very high quality, it did not score as highly as the successful applicants in the category. I understand that my officials met with the individual in question on Thursday 30 November 2006.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide a list of the company names and addresses of the companies which were successful under the second round of the excise derogation for biofuels scheme operated by his Department; if all these companies will supply domestic produced biofuels; if not, the number which will import biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41223/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the importation of biofuels; if it is Government policy that domestic production be prioritised in relation to the provision of State assistance for the production of biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41224/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together.

The information which the Deputy requested is provided in the table. This information is also posted on my Department's website.

The majority of the companies allocated relief have indicated that they intend to produce biofuels domestically. A number have indicated a combination of domestically produced and imported biofuels. In most of these cases applicants intend to import biofuels until they have established production facilities or supply chains in Ireland. The scheme was the subject of a State Aids application which has been approved by the Commission. Under State Aids rules preference cannot be given to any applicants within the competition by virtue of the origin of biofuels or biofuel feedstocks proposed.