Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the ongoing review of national energy policy; the timelines that are associated with the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27772/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I launched the public consultation process on the Green Paper on Energy Policy on 12 May 2014 when the Paper was published. It is open to anyone to submit their views electronically via a dedicated mailbox or in writing to the Department's address at 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. A number of special topic seminars covering the six policy priorities will be organised over the coming months to assist in distilling views on how best to address challenges and opportunities so as to support the three pillars of sustainability, security and competitiveness.

The Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland provides an opportunity to reflect and take stock of the current energy landscape in Ireland and internationally and to adopt a long term approach with regard to the policy, regulatory and societal interventions Ireland needs to make in the coming years. Government, regulators, industry, system operators and the public will all need to make sound, evidence-based choices to support a flexible and fit for purpose energy system in Ireland to meet our current and future energy needs. I look forward to an informed and robust debate and encourage everyone to engage actively in the public consultation process, with a view to contributing to the development of Ireland's future energy policy framework.