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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1993

Vol. 433 No. 3

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Energy Efficient Programmes.

Peter Barry

Question:

12 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if the Government has made submissions concerning the energy efficiency programmes initiated by the EC; when this SAVE programme will be implemented in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The SAVE programme, which was adopted by the EC Energy Council in October 1991, is a wide-ranging five year programme, which forms part of the Community strategy to limit CO2 emissions, in this case through improving energy efficiency.

Activity within the programme ranges from defining standards, through encouraging initiatives in member states, to international information networks.

Clearly SAVE is a developing programme, but since its adoption Ireland has been actively involved in its implementation at EC and national level.

As an illustration, I can use the recent Directive under the programme which was agreed at the Ministerial Energy Council meeting on 25 June. This directive requires measures such as the energy certification of buildings, thermal insulation of buildings and energy audits of businesses to be introduced by the end of 1994. Ireland in fact submitted projects for Community support to establish pilot projects, in both the certification of houses and audits in business in 1992. These are now underway with Community support.

Where regulations are required I expect EC implementation deadlines to be met. In some cases we have taken the initiative. For example a Directive on energy labelling of fridges is still in preparation. However, a voluntary scheme has been introduced in this country and EC assistance under the SAVE programme has been sought to extend this in co-operation with the Consumers' Association of Ireland, Eolas and the ESB, this year.

Finally, Ireland is very much involved in the international information network where Eolas is the managing contractor on behalf of the European energy network and is doing an excellent job on behalf of our country in the European Community.

(Limerick East): When the new Industrial Relations Bill becomes law and Eolas is included in the new arrangements for Forbairt, Forfás and the other organisations, will IDA (Ireland) be administering this programme or will it revert to the Department? Has thought been given to its implications?

The high professional standards and scientific expertise operating in Eolas will be preserved and involved in the new structure. It will continue to be responsible for this and other national and international programmes. It will play a key role and I am confident that there will not be any difficulty.

(Limerick East): Eolas will no longer exist when the President signs the new Bill. There will be three organisations, Forfás, Forbairt and IDA (Ireland). Who will be responsible for this within that complexity of organisations?

Forfás is an overall organisation, Eolas will be amalgamated with Forbairt and the segment of Forbairt which will encompass Eolas will be responsible.

(Limerick East): Is the Minister sure?

I am. I am very impressed by the experts in Eolas.

Has the Minister plans to draw up a national energy conservation programme and to publish such a programme? At what stage is the preparation of such a programme?

We are working under the guidance of the Minister, with the co-operation of the Department, on a major energy programme. We are also working, in co-operation with Eolas, with the European Community. Based on all the information we are able to put together we hope to build a solid programme on energy conservation.

Is there any aspect of leading by example in the programme which the Minister would like to mention, where both Government Departments and Ministers perhaps might like to show how energy efficiency in personal lifestyle might contribute to the overall programme?

The purpose of the SAVE programme is to identify the use of energy by consumption and charge. That is not an easy thing to achieve as many people live in families, multipurpose houses and in groups. Obviously the fact that Eolas has been given a key role shows that Ireland has the capacity to lead at international level.

Can the Minister tell us when the national energy programme will be published or whether it will be published?

There are many State agencies and Government Departments involved in this overall operation. It is a very complex area. We have not set any target date by which we can achieve its publication but we are certainly working aggressively towards that goal. It is not possible to lay down a definite deadline for achieving this particularly since it is totally new, both nationally and internationally. We have to adapt our overall circumstances and we must achieve certain goals and targets before laying down the final parameters, which would include a national programme. However, that is our goal.

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