Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is support for the use of horticultural discards in the production of biofuels. [35089/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department does not provide support for the use of horticultural discards in the production of biofuels. My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for a number of measures to increase the share of bioenergy derived from the Agriculture and Forestry sector in form of the EU Energy Crops Scheme, the National Energy Crop Premium Scheme, the Bioenergy Scheme and the Research Stimulus Fund Programme.

The Government is committed to the development of an Irish biofuels industry and to the sustainable development and deployment of indigenous bioenergy resources. A public consultation document on the proposed biofuels obligation was published on 29 September 2008. The consultation process allows all interested stakeholders to submit their views on the proposal by the closing date of 24 November 2008. Specific details of the obligation will be developed as part of the consultation process.

The biofuels obligation will enable Ireland to move progressively towards meeting EU targets for biofuels penetration in a cost-effective way while taking full account of sustainability in line with EU developments.