Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of biofuels in the market here; the percentage that is imported; the locations from which they are imported; the way he envisages that the sustainability criteria will be implemented here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16638/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The National Biofuel Obligation will underpin delivery of the national biofuel target and will take full account of EU biofuels policy, including the sustainability criteria. The legislative basis for the obligation is provided for in the Energy (Biofuels Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which is currently under consideration in the Oireachtas. Prior to the introduction of the Excise Relief schemes in 2005, market penetration of biofuels in Ireland was almost non existent. While final figures for 2009 are not yet available penetration is expected to be in the region of 2.5%.

My Department currently compiles information on the origin of biofuels imported under the Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes (MOTR). As at the end January 2010, under the MOTR Schemes of the excise relief claimed, 49% was for imported biofuel and 25% related to feedstock imports. These imports were from the EU (UK, France, Germany, Holland) and South America. The National Biofuel Obligation will also integrate the EU Sustainability Criteria, the implementation details of which have yet to be finalised by the European Commission. The objective is to ensure that all biofuels counted towards the national obligation are fully sustainable in line with EU legal requirements. The EU sustainability criteria will be the first internationally agreed set of rules governing the origins of biofuels. The EU sustainability criteria will provide competitive advantage for Irish and other EU producers by ensuring that non EU imports meet strict environmental guidelines.