Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views in relation to a proposed peat and bio-fuel energy plant in County Mayo; if he has a problem in principle with the use of peat as a fuel for energy generation in the context of it being part of a bio-fuel energy mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43672/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government's policy in relation to energy is set out in the White Paper, "Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland — The Energy Policy Framework 2007 — 2020". The three pillars of Government energy policy are security of energy supply, environmental sustainability and delivery of real and effective competition in energy markets. In relation to environmental sustainability, it is the Government's policy to reduce energy-related emissions and the carbon intensity of electricity production through various initiatives, including changes to the fuel mix, one of which is the co-firing of the existing peat-fired plants with biomass.

A target of 30% co-firing of the existing peat-fired power plants with biomass by 2015 has been set, with the intention of reducing the amount of peat being used in these plants by about one million tonnes per annum. This is reflected in the projections in the Energy Policy Framework, which indicate a decrease in the amount of peat in the fuel mix up to 2020.

The Energy Policy Framework refers to Government being supportive of biomass co-firing with peat. This is in the context of the existing State-owned peat-fired power generating plants. An inference that the Government would encourage new peat-fired plants should not be drawn. The Government's clear focus is instead on the development of new renewable energy and energy-efficient measures to achieve its overall energy policy goals.

Under the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, the Minister has no function in relation to authorisations to construct generating stations or licences to generate electricity. This is the responsibility of the independent energy regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation.