John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on comments from the Irish Farmers' Association regarding the bio-fuels obligation scheme; his further views on the press release of 15 June 2010 issued by the IFA regarding the bio-fuels obligations scheme; his response to correspondence sent to him by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny regarding BOS and other matters which was not responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28397/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Biofuels will play a central role in meeting our binding EU target of 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, and in so doing, reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions from Transport, improve our energy security, and provide a valuable opportunity for the agricultural sector and for industry to diversify into new areas.

The National Biofuel Obligation Scheme will be introduced on 1 July and it will establish a clear framework to help underpin the ongoing development of an indigenous biofuels industry which will in turn create valuable employment opportunities. The legislative basis for the obligation is provided for in the Energy (Biofuels Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010. This legislation will ensure that Irish consumers have access to appropriately priced, sustainable and reliable sources of biofuel over the coming years, and, in doing so, this will give an important incentive to domestic production.

The National Biofuel Obligation will, by definition, incentivise the sustainable growth of the Irish biofuels market and will support indigenous biofuel producers and expand the sustainable indigenous production of biofuels. The EU sustainability criteria, which were recently introduced, will also provide competitive advantage for Irish and other EU producers by ensuring that non EU imports meet strict environmental guidelines.

The only correspondence I received from the individual in County Kilkenny referred to by the Deputy, related to a submission received as part of the consultation process on the Biofuel Obligation Scheme. It was not my Department's intention to respond directly on each individual submission received. All submissions received were analysed as part of the process of preparing the specific details of the National Biofuel Obligation Scheme.