asked the Minister for Energy whether he believes the present level of investment in energy research and in conservation is adequate; and whether he has proposals in this area.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Energy Research.
59.
The NBST Investory of Energy Research, Development and Demonstration projects shows a total expenditure of £2,864 million under these headings by a variety of agencies in 1986. A significant part of that expenditure was undertaken by my Department and the agencies with which they are associated. While the expenditure by the Department, as provided for in their Vote, has declined in recent years, I am satisfied that it is adequate in a time of budgetary constraints. It should be noted that the benefit of these expenditures is not confined to any one year; their contribution to the economy is cumulative over a long period of time. We are concentrating on activities which can show real tangible results. The primary purpose is to provide expert advice and assistance to energy users in all sectors of the economy to guide them in the optimum use of energy resources most appropriate to their particular circumstances.
How does our effort on research and development in the energy sphere compare with the EC performance? How does our energy intensity per pound of national income compare with the European performance?
There has been a considerable reduction in the amount of funds provided for this purpose in recent times. I do not have the figures available but we can assume that as a percentage of our gross national product the investment in conservation is quite low. Nevertheless, quite a lot of study has been carried out. If in industry and at domestic level we were to implement recommendations already put forward we would be making considerable progress, as has been indicated in a number of other areas in the economy. It is not simply a question of continuing research. We have to put into effect recommendations that have been made in regard to this. We will continue to invest as much as we can in areas of potential within budgetary constraints.
I should like to ask the Minister to look at the figures again. The figures he has quoted refer to demonstration and development and the application of research. The figures he quoted do not only deal with research. They also concern application and that is the only way such recommendations will get into operation. Is it not the case that we are 20 per cent more intensive users of energy per £1 of income than the rest of the EC and that we have only a tiny fraction, about one-seventh, of the effort to do something about this?
We can look at this in a number of ways. We can expect the Government to provide the lead by allocating exceptional resources, if they have them. However, I am more concerned about trying to put into effect measures which have already proved to be energy saving devices.
These figures include that effort.
The Government should not be expected to propel them. If the Deputy glances over his questions he will see that he is suggesting further Government intervention and financial support for a wide range of activities. We have reached the stage where we cannot afford to do that.
Is the Minister asking me questions at this stage?
Would it not be more sensible to put into effect measures which the Government sponsored and which have been accepted as credible ways of reducing our dependence on imported energy resources rather than expecting taxpayers to do all this work.
Is it not the case that the agencies the Minister has under his aegis who are supposed to apply best known technology, as he said, to the use of energy here, are devoting only 0.1 per cent of their resources to research, development and demonstration? Is the Minister serious in telling the House that that is the way in which proven technology in other countries will get to be up and running here? I suggest that it would be better if the Minister looked to the problems we are discussing rather than asking me if Government intervention, or other systems, can achieve a remedy.
I am putting it to the Deputy that as far as our dependence on imported energy resources are concerned the answer will not be found only in Government intervention. We have to adopt procedures at domestic and industrial level. There is a considerable amount of information available for us to work on without asking taxpayers to fund aditional research.
It is not the taxpayer I am referring to but the ESB, An Bord Gáis and others.
This all revolves around getting taxpayers to provide the additional resources. The information is in cold print but not being implemented.
I am referring to State enterprises.