Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm comments by a senior advisor from Sustainable Energy Ireland that Ireland's real target for renewable energy for electricity for 2020 is 6% rather than 33% as outlined in the Energy White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23047/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government reaffirms the Energy Policy White Paper target for Ireland of 33% of gross electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2020.

As was clarified at the time, the comment by an officer of Sustainable Energy Ireland earlier this year related to the contribution from renewable energy sources to overall energy use i.e. the electricity, heat and transport sectors.

In 2005 the contribution by renewable energy sources to gross electricity consumption was nearly 7%. For 2006 it is estimated to have reached over 8% and will increase further in 2007. We are well on track to achieve 15% of gross electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2010 and 33% by 2020.