Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 733: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the availability of biofuels for motorists across the country; if he has any plans to encourage the availability of biofuels in view of the soaring price of fossil fuels: the percentage of fuel consumption here for transport purposes that is comprised of biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17832/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Statutory Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 to underpin delivery of the mandatory EU target of 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. The obligation currently requires that the amount of biofuel brought to the market is not less than 4.166% of the relevant disposal of petroleum road transport fuels.

In 2011, the total amount of petroleum motor fuel placed on the market was 4,276 million litres of which 145 million litres or 3.39% were biofuel. Taking into account the double certificates issued for biofuel produced from wastes a total of 194 million biofuel certificates were issued in 2011 which equates to 4.54% of relevant disposals during the year.

My Department will be undertaking consultations shortly on the options for increasing the Biofuels Obligation from 2013 taking into account of all relevant factors, including developments in the Irish market and in the UK and other EU markets as well as sustainability considerations. The Obligation is designed to promote the sustainable growth of the Irish biofuels market thus supporting the growth of sustainable indigenous production of biofuels.