Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the negotiations which he has had with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of the REFIT for energy crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11878/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources announced the proposed REFIT for Biomass Technologies (REFIT III) on 24 May 2010. State Aid approval was received from DG Comp in respect of the proposed tariffs on 18 October 2011.

My Department was consistently supportive of the efforts to introduce these REFIT tariffs. The tariffs apply to a broad range of Biomass Technologies, including Anaerobic Digestion Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and non-CHP, Biomass CHP and also Biomass Combustion. The tariffs will be adjusted by way of indexation annually by the annual increase, if any, in the consumer price index in Ireland commencing 1 January 2010. REFIT III has the potential to contribute to Ireland’s 2020 targets under the Renewable Energy Directive, particularly through the more highly efficient energy production process of CHP which makes use of the heat produced in energy generation instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.

The Deputy may also be aware that funding these REFIT tariffs results in an additional charge to electricity consumers through the Public Service Obligation as provided for under the Electricity Regulation Act. The REFIT for Biomass Technologies was subject to the normal Government approval process and was approved by Government in December 2011. It subsequently came into effect in February 2012.