Vol. 400 No. 9
60 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Energy if he has taken any initiatives to bring forward an EC programme to replace the Valoren Programme for supporting energy self-sufficiency in less favoured regions including Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is a function of the EC Commission to bring forward proposals in the context of the European Community.
I consider that the Valoren Programme is making a satisfactory contribution to the less favoured regions of the Community and I therefore wish it to continue in operation until it is due to expire on 31 October 1991.
A further programme, THERMIE, was agreed at the Energy Council on 21 May. This will give support for energy demonstration projects in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable sources of energy, solid fuels and in the hydrocarbons area. The Commission when selecting projects will be obliged to take into account a preference to be given to certain projects to be implemented in less developed regions. It is, therefore, an important programme as far as Ireland is concerned and I am pleased that it was agreed during Ireland's Presidency of the EC.
