asked the Minister for Energy whether he plans to initiate a formal mechanism for co-ordinating energy research, development and demonstration into a national programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Co-ordinated Energy Research.
8.
Because of limited Exchequer financing energy research, development and demonstration are stimulated mainly by a number of EC grant schemes. Irish participation in these schemes is promoted and co-ordinated in a very active way by Eolas in consultation with my Department.
May I ask the Minister if he is content with the situation where our investment in research into efficiency and new resources for energy has fallen to one-tenth of the level it was in 1981 and that most of that fall was during the currency of this Government? Is the Minister satisfied with the position where we are making less than 5 per cent of the effort that would be made in another EC country?
I think every Member of this House would like more money to be spent in research and development but these decisions were taken in the context of budgetary constraints and there is very little scope at present for increasing investment. It would be desirable in the longer term when resources are more freely available to devote as much as possible to this area. In the meantime we will have the best possible linkage both with the EC and Eolas to do whatever is possible within the context of these limited resources.
May I ask the Minister if it is the right approach to research that a cut of 90 per cent should have been applied to a research budget that prepares the country for longer term problems? Is that the right approach in reacting to constraints? Would the Minister not agree that we are sacrificing major opportunities for the future in the efficient use of energy and renewable sources of energy?
If the Deputy looks at the overall figures between the investment being made here, by Eolas and the EC he will see that considerable resources on an overall basis are going into this type of programme.
It is one-tenth of what was spent in 1981.
Yes, but there is overcapacity in the total energy area. Admittedly, we need to concentrate as much as possible on conservation and, as I said, we will devote whatever limited resources are there towards this end so as to improve the situation as quickly as circumstances permit.