asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make a statement on the recent report on energy conservation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Energy Conservation.
5.
(Cavan): The report is based on a study which was commissioned by the Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation established by my predecessor in October, 1974. The purpose of the study was to prepare outline proposals to enable the advisory committee to report to the Minister for Transport and Power on energy conservation in Ireland up to 1985.
The report sets out recent volumes and patterns of energy flows in Ireland and attempts to forecast gross energy demands for the period 1976-1985. It reviews conservation measures undertaken to date and makes recommendations as to further measures that might be adopted, the estimated cost of such measures and the potential savings that might be achieved. A number of the recommendations have already been implemented and others are at present being examined in my Department in consultation with the advisory committee and other interested bodies.
I should emphasise that energy conservation depends for its success to a very great extent on the co-operation of the general public and the various sectors of commerce, industry, and so on. I would therefore welcome the widest possible public discussion on the recommendations in the report.
How much did the report cost?
(Cavan): Over £5,000.
Is the Minister satisfied that the report was worth that amount of money?
(Cavan): It is the first time that an assessment has been made of the energy position. In view of the oil crisis of 1973-74 and the general high cost of energy, the sum of £5,000 was well spent in studying the situation.
Is the Minister aware that the report is inadequate? Is he aware, for instance, that there is no information in it in regard to the cost of naphtha? Is this the type of report an advisory body should present to a Minister?
(Cavan): It is a report that is now being studied by the advisory committee of my Department. It is thought-provoking, isolates certain problems and makes certain suggestions. A sum of £5,000 was often spent on worse projects.
We agree it is worth while considering the energy problem, but publishing a report such as this is a waste of time. The report does not give any information in regard to the price of naphtha, but we know that it is costing Limerick Gas Company £90 per ton. When dealing with the policies for the conservation of energy it cannot give the costs. Is he further aware that a phone call to the Department of Local Government would satisfy this? They are fully aware and can say what the cost is. These inadequacies in the report published——
Brevity, please.
(Cavan): I am sure that Deputy Barrett does not mean to criticise the fact that the report has been published and the object of publishing the report was to get the widest possible discussion on this burning topic—and I do not intend a pun by that phrase.
Will the Minister not agree that the information was available?
(Cavan): I am convinced that if this report is read and studied as widely as I hope it will be that it will bring home to people the necessity of conserving energy.
6.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make a statement on the progress, if any, made at the recent EEC ministerial conference on energy.
(Cavan): The Energy Council meeting to which the Deputy refers was held in Luxembourg on 19th October, 1976, and took place against a background of the failure of earlier councils to take decisions on a number of measures formulated by the commission. The October council meeting was accordingly called to review an analysis which the commission had made of the present energy position of the EEC and to exchange views on how Community energy policy could be advanced.
The meeting provided energy Ministers with an opportunity of considering the Community's growing dependence on imported energy and of making known their positions and anxieties on a wide range of topics, including energy savings, security of imported supplies and the protection and development of the Community's energy resources. In this connection, my predecessor recorded his concern at the slow rate of progress made towards a Community energy policy since the energy crisis of 1973-74 and stressed the urgent need to adopt measures which would help to protect member states and the Community as a whole should difficulties arise.
The council agreed that the commission's communication constituted a good basic guide for the council's future deliberations, and a tentative work programme was drawn up for the period to 31st December, 1977. Preparations are in hand for the holding of a further energy council at an early date for the purpose of taking decisions on measures which are near to agreement.
Would the Minister agree that these conferences since the energy crisis have achieved absolutely nothing? Would he agree that they have not succeeded in lowering our dependence or the dependence of member countries on imported energy or oil in this case? Is it just talking shop, in other words? Is it achieving anything for the member countries?
(Cavan): I would not agree with Deputy Barrett that these conferences have produced exactly nothing. They have not produced as much as one would have liked. As I have said, my predecessor, who has been at a number of them— I have not been at any yet—was disappointed with the progress that was being achieved, and he so stated at the last conference. The conference meeting about which Deputy Barrett spoke was called to deal with that problem, to exchange views and to set a time-table, and a time-table has been set for taking decisions up to the end of 1977. When I have attended a few of these meetings I will be in a better position to express a personal view.