Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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478. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reviews of Irish energy policy that have taken place following the publication of the White Paper Energy Policy Framework 2007 - 2020; when a further review is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4265/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The energy policy landscape has undergone considerable change since the Energy Policy White Paper was published in 2007. Having regard to this, my Department is currently preparing an Energy Green Paper identifying issues that need to be considered in the development of Ireland’s energy policy to meet current and future challenges. Competitiveness, security of supply, and sustainability, as well as energy policy’s potential to support economic growth and job creation, will be the key objectives of the Green Paper which I expect to publish by the middle of this year.

The purpose of the Green Paper will be to stimulate debate on these key energy policy objectives and how they may be achieved. There will be a full public consultation process during which interested parties will be invited to submit their views, observations and suggestions on the shape of Ireland’s future energy policy. On completion of the public consultation process, all submissions received will be considered and policy options developed with a view to the publication of a new Energy Policy Framework in the form of a White Paper. The public consultation process, along with the relevant stakeholder engagement, will contribute significantly to the development of the White Paper which I expect to publish by the end of 2014.