Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 9 May 2023, if he will address a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25350/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy Statement 2021 set out the pathway to the achievement of Climate Action Plan targets and European obligations concerning sustainability and GHG reduction criteria for renewable energy in transport. The policy sets out that the annual increase in the renewable transport fuel blending obligation (RTFO) rate (provided for under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007) will support the achievement of the Climate Action Plan biofuel target, i.e. E10 (10% Ethanol) and B20 (20% Biodiesel equivalent), with an interim target of E10/B12 by 2025.

The ‘biofuel obligation’ (renamed the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation in 2022) was introduced in 2010 by the Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010. The obligation is administered by the National Oil Reserves Agency. The scheme places a statutory obligation on suppliers of road transport fuels to ensure that a proportion of the fuels they place on the market in Ireland is produced from renewable sources. The recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) accelerates the take-up of renewables in the EU, to help reach the 2030 energy and climate objectives. No targets have yet been set beyond 2030. RED II sets the overarching European target for renewable energy and includes rules to ensure the uptake of renewables in the transport sector, and in heating and cooling, as well as common principles and rules for renewable support schemes (such as Ireland’s RTFO). To find out more on the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation and specifics on its certification scheme I would recommend contacting the National Oil Reserves Agency.

I made regulations on 31 March 2023 to authorise the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) to issue additional Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) certificates for specified renewable transport fuels, where those fuels are used for specific purposes or means of transport, to incentivise their supply. The regulations became operational from 1 April, aligned to the administrative requirements of the RTFO.

In response to concerns raised within the statutory consultation process, I modified the draft regulations to expand incentives to other renewable transport fuels, targeting production and supply by small indigenous biofuel companies and the agricultural waste feedstock supply chains supporting these businesses. The modifications made to the regulations included the inclusion of RTFO certificates for Category 1 tallow Fatty Methyl Ester (FAME) biodiesel at the same level as additional certificates for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and the amount of certificates awarded for biogas/biomethane were increased.

The additional certificates regulations will be kept under review within the ongoing implementation of the renewable transport fuel policy and the establishment of the RTFO rate on an annual basis. The Department of Transport is currently consulting on the draft Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023-2025, with the closing date for receipt of written submissions on 26 May 2023. Within the draft policy statement, views are sought on the scope of the renewable transport fuel policy, the targets and limits of the RTFO rates to 2030, compliance and the ongoing review of evidence and research supporting the policy.

My officials would be delighted to hear the latest project plans from Mr.Tierney and will arrange a meeting as soon as possible.