Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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598. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will convene open public meetings in the midlands region on the question of Ireland's future sustainable energy policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40559/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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My Department is currently in the process of finalising a new Energy White Paper which will set out Ireland’s energy policy to 2030. This follows a period of extensive consultation including a written consultation process in summer 2014 which garnered 1,240 responses and a period of intensive stakeholder engagement covering 7 themed seminars and 4 regional seminars, one of which was held in Moate, Co. Westmeath. This consultative process provided significant opportunity for the public, business and industry to input into the policy development process.

In July 2015, my Department launched two separate consultations on new support schemes for sustainable energy, one for renewable electricity and one for a proposed Renewable Heat Incentive. Further consultations on each support scheme are planned. My Department has also recently completed a public consultation on the Biofuels Obligation Scheme related mainly to the area of renewable energy in the transport sector.

My approach to the development of the Energy White Paper has been to ensure that the citizen is placed firmly at the heart of Ireland’s energy policy.