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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 2

Written Answers. - EC Energy Charter.

Mary Flaherty

Question:

9 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the Government's view of the final draft of the EC Energy Charter which is due to be signed in December 1991.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the European Energy Charter which is still under discussion by participating countries. It is planned that the Charter will be signed by Ministers with responsibility for energy matters at a conference in The Hague on 16-17 December 1991.

The European Energy Charter will be a political declaration expressing a desire for European wide co-operation in the energy sectors. While this declaration will not be binding legally the Principles of the Charter will be given legal effect by means of a basic agreement which is expected to be signed at a later stage by all Charter signatories.

The aim of the Charter is to improve security of supply, maximising efficiency in all aspects of energy, enhance safety and minimise environmental problems.

The objectives envisaged under the Charter are: 1, Expansion of trade in energy; 2, Co-operation in the energy field; 3, Facilitation and protection of Energy investment, and 4, Efficient use of energy and environmental protection.

The basic agreement will cover institutional and organisational issues; there will also be specific agreements (protocols) which will be legally binding. These will be agreed to cover the different issues. The following areas have already been identified: efficient use of energy including environmental protection; oil and gas sector; electricity; coal; renewable energies; nuclear safety; transfer of technology and co-operation in dealing with major accidents.

Ireland has fully supported the initiative for a European Energy Charter from the outset and our support has been made known by the Taoiseach at meetings of Heads of State and by me at European Energy Councils.
There are 35 participating countries, notably European Community member states, US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the USSR and countries of Central and Eastern Europe. While the initial impetus for the Charter was energy security of supply for Europe, there are clearly, also, political advantages and major general economic advantages for the USSR and the Eastern European countries in having major energy development and assured energy markets for gas and oil.
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