Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

28. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of plans to make biofuel more readily available through fuel pumps in retail garages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10234/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Biofuels are readily available in Ireland and regulations on fuel standards, introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in 2011, and which transpose the Fuel Quality Directive, permit the sale of petrol with up to 10% bioethanol and diesel with up to 7% biodiesel.

The Biofuels Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive.

The scheme works by obliging road transport fuel suppliers to bring a certain amount of sustainable biofuel, currently 6% by volume of total transport fuel sales, to the market. The gradual increase to the current 6% rate has facilitated increased amounts of biofuel used in Ireland since the scheme was introduced and, in 2013, approximately 150 million litres of biofuels were placed on the Irish transport fuel market blended with petroleum products. Further increases to the 6% rate will be required in the context of achieving our 2020 target and the Minister intends to consult on a proposed increase shortly.