Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has reservations regarding Ireland's commitment to the biofuels directive in view of ethical concerns regarding land use for biofuels, particularly in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on the 23rd January 2008 the Energy Commission published its proposals for a new Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, which include the minimum mandatory target of 10% market penetration of biofuels in transport, in all Member States by 2020. In establishing these targets, the Commission recognises that while biofuels could offer opportunities for developing countries, sustainability in the production and use of biofuels would be critical. The Commission's proposals set out a range of environmental sustainability criteria, which would be mandatory and subject to verification.

The Slovenian Presidency has set up an ad hoc group to coordinate a position on the sustainability criteria for biofuels. Ireland is represented on this Group by my Department and in close consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The first meeting of the Group was held on 29 February 2008. The group will continue to meet on a regular basis with the aim of having a final position by April. Our objective is to ensure that the conclusions reached by this group will strike a careful balance to ensure the optimum outcome in terms of reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in transport, providing real opportunities for developing countries based on robust sustainability criteria and at the same time minimising risks in terms of food production and increasing our security of fuel supplies.

Ireland's national biofuels obligation will take full account of EU developments in relation to biofuels and related sustainability concerns and I have no reservations regarding Ireland's commitment to the Biofuels Directive in this regard. Ireland will be working closely with other Member States in the negotiation of the Directive to ensure that all biofuels placed on the European and Irish market are produced in line with all appropriate sustainability criteria.