Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the legislation granting additional certificates for certain renewable transport fuels will be published, which was as committed to in the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuel Functions Bill 2023, sponsored by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Section 10 amends section 44G of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 through the insertion of a new subsection (1B) which will, following the transfer of renewable transport fuel functions, empower the Minister for Transport to make regulations authorising the National Oil Reserves Agency to issue additional renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) certificates in respect of particular renewable transport fuels and where those fuels are used for specific purposes or means of transport.

The draft regulations will be subject to statutory consultation consisting of consultation with specified parties followed by a 28-day call for submissions (notice of this will be placed on the Department of Transport website).

The purpose of these regulations is to incentivise the use of specified renewable transport fuels in particular sectors which will support the ongoing decarbonisation of Transport. For example, incentivising the supply of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to support the achievement of the Climate Action Plan 2021 target for a B20 biofuel blend in diesel by 2030, to support development fuels supply such as green hydrogen and biomethane and to incentivise renewable transport fuel supply for aviation and maritime.

 Through engagement with my officials and I, stakeholders have indicated that commencement of these regulations is required by April 2023 in order to support them to comply with their requirements under the 2023 renewable transport fuel obligation. It is a priority for me, as Minister for Transport, to deliver on renewable fuel policy commitments within the 2023 obligation period. My officials are continuing to liaise with industry on the ongoing implementation of the policy.

The Bill has completed its passage through Dáil Éireann and it is anticipated that it will be debated by the Seanad shortly with the aim that it will proceed as quickly as possible this month to allow for its enactment and to provide sufficient time to consult on the draft regulations. However, until the Bill is enacted, and renewable transport fuel functions are transferred to my remit, it is not possible for me to provide a date for the commencement of the regulations.