andMr. Kelly asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a report on Ireland's participation in the International Energy Agency; the number of meetings attended; the proposals made by Ireland; and the proposals agreed to by Ireland.
Written Answers. - International Energy Agency.
375.
Mr. Burton
Following the 1973/74 energy crisis, negotiations among some of the industrialised countries, including Ireland, resulted, in November 1974, in an Agreement on an International Energy Programme. The purpose of the agreement was to strengthen co-operation on energy policy among the participating countries. In order to administer the agreement, the International Energy Agency (IEA) was established in Paris as an autonomous body within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Ireland became a member of the agency on its establishment.
The agency discharges its functions through a Governing Board and Management Committee, three Standing Groups, a number of subsidiary committees and a Secretariat. Ireland is represented on the Governing Board and Management Committee and on the Standing Groups as well as the more important subsidiary committees. Normally the Governing Body meets about four times a year at official level and approximately twice a year at Ministerial level.
The three Standing Groups hold meetings roughly on a quarterly basis. Ireland has been represented at almost all meetings of these bodies since the agency was established.
The main purpose of the agency is to implement the International Energy Programme which provides for an oil allocation scheme in times of supply shortages, the maintenance of reserve stocks by participating countries, an information system on the international oil market, long-term co-operation on such matters as energy conservation, development of alternative sources of energy, the promotion of energy research and development, and relations with the oil producing countries. The agency carries out a review of the energy policies of participating countries on a regular basis.
Since the establishment of the agency the International Energy Programme has been reviewed on a regular basis and a number of supplementary measures have been agreed among the participating countries with a view to alleviating supply difficulties in times of temporary shortages, the reduction of demand and the development of alternative sources of energy. Ireland has participated fully in these procedures and took a leading part in the activities of the agency during the two periods in which it held the Presidency of the European Communities.
No major proposals for the amendment of the International Energy Programme have been made by Ireland or any of the participating countries since it was originally adopted in November 1974. Any amendment of a fundamental nature would involve the execution of a further international agreement.
376.
andMr. Kelly asked the Minister for Energy if the International Energy Agency has carried out examinations of national programmes of energy conservation in any member state; if so, the states; and if he has invited the agency to carry out such a study in Ireland.
The International Energy Agency carries out an annual review of the energy policies and programmes of all IEA member states. Energy conservation is an inherent part of the review and, accordingly, the issue of an invitation to have a study carried out does not arise. The reviews are published by the IEA. The most recent review available is the 1979 Review, published in mid-1980. The review relating to the year 1980 will be published later this year.