Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the financial assistance or resources he has provided in pursuit of the development of hybrid cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28111/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has recently published reports on Hybrid Electrical Vehicles and Battery Electric Vehicles. These reports address potential measures that might be used to stimulate uptake in Ireland and make a series of recommendations with regard to how this might be best achieved. These provide a useful template for the way forward and I have asked my Department to work with SEI and with the Department of Transport to progress matters in the context of the Sustainable Transport and Travel Action Plan currently being finalised by my colleague, the Minister for Transport.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy on the promotion of biofuels; if this policy takes account of the impact of biofuels on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27567/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My policy objective in relation to biofuels is to ensure the necessary conditions and framework for sustainable biofuel production and use which enhances security of energy supply, contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to our overall ambitions for renewable energy in transport.

Emerging concerns about the environmental sustainability of current biofuel production and the potential interaction with food supplies underline the complexities of biofuels. I am working with my European colleagues and the Commission to ensure that comprehensive mandatory sustainability criteria are developed and implemented for biofuels production and use. It is only in that context and taking account of all factors that the development of a genuinely sustainable biofuels industry can be assured.