Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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455. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland that are dedicated to policy advice on biomass matters. [46792/14]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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456. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will be taking in implementing the new bioenergy action plan. [46793/14]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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457. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the industry sources, other than semi-State organisations, that have been consulted on the draft bioenergy action plan since publishing. [46794/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 455, 456 and 457 together. 455, 456 and 457 together.

I recently published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website (). The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation and consultation with interested industry stakeholders, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly.

As Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources it is important that I understand the perspective of interested groups, companies and stakeholders. I meet very many interested parties in connection with issues across the energy agenda, including on bioenergy, in many different fora. Such interactions are a critical input to policy formation and development.

The draft plan recommends a number a policy and enabling actions and identifies the public bodies, including the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which will be responsible for the implementation of these actions. Furthermore, reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of bioenergy, implementation of the actions arising from the draft Plan will be coordinated by a Bioenergy Steering Group which will be established shortly. The Bioenergy Steering Group will draw on the relevant government departments, agencies, including SEAI, and stakeholders as appropriate.

The assignment of staff within the SEAI to specific work areas is entirely a matter for the SEAI and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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458. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the current state of biomass resources here; if they would sustain a Moneypoint conversion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46948/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I recently published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website. The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly.

The draft Plan recognises that, although Ireland will remain a net importer of biofuels in the transport sector, meeting demand for biomass from indigenous sources could deliver significant economic benefits. Consequently, the draft plan contains measures to stimulate and support the supply of Irish biomass. In this regard, the key recommendations include: the continued support for the Afforestation Programme; the continuation of the Bioenergy Scheme for energy crops; and the establishment of Bioenergy Ireland, a joint venture between Bord na Mona and Coillte.

Furthermore, in terms of developing new sources of biomass, the draft Plan provides that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government will endeavour to optimise the availability of waste for energy and that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will continue its support for innovative energy uses for animal by-products.

As regards electricity generation, technology choices are commercial matters for project developers. The fuel used in the plant at Moneypoint is a matter for the operator and not a matter in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. I am advised, however, that there are a number of important issues that would demand further consideration before biomass could be used at Moneypoint including a requirement for substantially more biomass than is available domestically, with large amounts of the resource having to be imported. Furthermore, the commitment of substantial amounts of biomass to Moneypoint would divert scarce biomass away from the renewable heat sector, where biomass could be used more efficiently and where fewer alternative technologies exist.