Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from Moneypoint power station; the steps being taken to pursue the option of carbon capture and storage; the legislation required to advance this method of addressing CO2 emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43649/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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While the issue of emissions levels at Moneypoint Generating Station is, in the first instance, a day-to-day management matter for the company, I have included with this reply, at Table 1, details of the annual CO2 emissions from Moneypoint Generating Station for the period 2005-2007. These emission levels have been verified in accordance with the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme Directive and recorded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its CO2 emissions Registry.

I can advise the Deputy that emissions are directly related to fuel use, which is determined by generation output. The historic emission trend is not an indicator of future emissions. The future emissions profile will depend on market conditions, in particular the economics of generation from coal which is relative to gas and the price of EU (CO2) allowances.

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the report entitled "Assessment of the Potential for Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide for the Island of Ireland", which was commissioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSINI). The report quantifies potential carbon storage capacity on the island which is considerably greater than the actual total annual CO2 emissions in Ireland from large single point sources such as Moneypoint Powerstation.

Following on the publication of the Report in September, at my request, my Department is chairing an Inter-Departmental/Inter-Agency Group representative of all stakeholders which is now examining the Report's recommendations as well as the complex range of regulatory and legal matters inherent in carbon capture and storage.

Negotiations are underway on the Carbon Capture and Storage Directive proposed by the EU Commission as part of the Climate Change and Renewable Energy Package. The Directive will provide guidance for Member States on appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to govern carbon capture and storage from all perspectives. The EU Commission is also proposing the establishment of at least 12 demonstration plants in Europe designed to test and prove the various technological options for the sequestration of carbon.

Developments on carbon capture and storage in Ireland, including appropriate legal frameworks, will continue to be fully informed by EU and International developments.