Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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459. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects to publish the White Paper on Energy Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46950/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The written consultation process on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland concluded on 31 July 2014. Over 1,240 submissions were received. The process of developing a definitive Energy Policy is continuing. Further engagement at stakeholder events at various Dublin and regional locations has been taking place over recent months.

My Department is focussed on identifying all issues that may be of concern to citizens and stakeholders and on ensuring that the assumptions on which the final policy paper will be written are tested and accurate, so as to produce a dynamic and responsive evidence based framework which will allow us to steer an appropriate course as we seek to address sustainability, security and competitiveness challenges and opportunities.

The text of the policy paper will be progressed during the first half of 2015 with a view to publication of the final policy paper by September 2015. The new energy policy framework will be timely in that it will be guided by Ireland’s input to the EU’s 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy policies and the preparations for the UN’s COP21 (the 21st Conference of the Parties within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Paris in December next year.