Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which incentives remain available to encourage the use of biodiesel and bioethanol; the way this compares with other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45552/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Renewable Energy Directive requires that all Member States must ensure that, by 2020, 10% of energy in transport comes from renewable sources. Ireland plans to meet the transport target primarily by mandating the use of biofuels through the Biofuel Obligation Scheme. The scheme works by obligating road transport fuel suppliers to bring a certain amount of sustainable biofuel to the market and in 2012 over 128 million litres were placed on the Irish market when the obligation rate was 4%. Since 1 January 2013, the obligation rate was increased to 6% by volume.

All but a few Member States operate a quota or obligation system with the mandates ranging from 1.83% to 7% by volume. A number of Member States have defined the obligation in energy terms with the resultant volume of biofuels required to meet the mandate depending on the fuel mix of their respective transport fleets. Biofuels are also supported through the use of the tax systems and grant aid in a number of Member States.