Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for implementation of the new REFIT tariff scheme for offshore wind; when this tariff scheme for offshore wind was announced by him; if he has received EU sanction for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In February of this year I announced a tariff of €140 MW hour for offshore wind energy projects within the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) support scheme. This is a new category within the REFIT support scheme which would previously have been subject to EU State aids clearance. However last August the European Commission adopted a new General Block Exemption Regulation which gives automatic approval for a range of aid measures and thus allows Member States to provide such aid without prior notification to the Commission. The new Regulations includes the promotion of energy from renewable energy sources. I welcome this development which simplifies and speeds up our own actions in relation to targeted aid for the renewable sector. Details of the terms and conditions of the REFIT support structure for offshore wind will be finalised and announced in the near future.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on future strategy for the development of the wood energy market as a source of renewable energy. [35937/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Biomass energy offers undoubted potential in the context of strategies to develop indigenous energy supplies from renewable resources, thereby contributing to security of supply, lower emissions and alternative sources of income for the forestry sector as well as the agriculture and waste management sectors. It also has the potential to provide a source of low-cost energy across all sectors of the economy.

A Bioenergy Working Group (BWG) was established by my Department in April this year with the aim of charting the sustainable path to achieve the 2020 bioenergy targets and to develop strategies to deliver on these targets. The Bioenergy Working Group will act as a gateway to relevant knowledge and expertise within the member Departments and agencies, commission studies as required and consult with interested parties during the development of a Sustainable Bioenergy Supply Roadmap. In order to be effective, and recognising that bioenergy impacts upon various sectors, including energy, agriculture and environment, it was recognised that it is critical that the development of the roadmap is tackled by a cross sectoral collaboration group. In this regard the group is representative of Government Departments, Government Agencies and relevant stakeholders. It is anticipated that the group will have a draft roadmap prepared by the end of 2008.