Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason pure plant oil or other alternative fuels are being exported to other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10979/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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It is a commercial decision for producers of pure plant oil or other alternative fuels as to whether or not they export to other EU Member States. Under the Biofuels Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes, which were competitive calls for proposals from producers meeting the criteria, preference could not be given to any applicants by virtue of the origin of biofuels feed stocks. This is a requirement of EU State Aids Rules. The planned introduction of a Biofuels Obligation next year will require all fuel suppliers to ensure that biofuels represent a certain percentage of their annual fuel sales. By moving to an obligation market players will be given the long-term certainty to make appropriate investment decisions.