Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 5

Written Answers. - White Paper on Energy Policy.

Liam Fitzgerald

Question:

195 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to publish a White Paper on Energy Policy in order to seek a wide national debate and consensus; the progress, if any, made to date in the formulation of such a White Paper; and if he has agreed a date for its finalisation and publication. [17189/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

The factors that influence Ireland's energy policy objectives are distance, size, isolated location, energy import dependence, unemployment and a developing economy. As such, Ireland's energy policy aims to assure security of energy supplies by reducing dependence on imported oil and developing indigenous resources, to improve energy efficiency in all sectors and to meet environmental standards.

At the end of January this year the European Commission published a Green Paper entitled "For a European Energy Policy". The key aspects of the Green Paper are an examination of the principal challenges with which the Community will be confronted in future. In essence, these involve resolving the conflicting demands of security of supply, competitiveness and the environment.

The objective of the Green Paper was to launch an energy policy discussion and allow all interested parties to contribute to the debate. As a result of this debate, the Commission proposes to publish a White Paper in the near future which will establish a working plan for energy in the Community. Ireland welcomes this approach and participates at all relevant European meetings on the matter.

In the discussions to date one of our objectives has been, and will continue to be, to embrace Irish energy policy goals within the overall European energy framework. On publication of the EU White Paper, my Department will examine its implications for Irish energy policy and I will then decide if we need to redefine our own energy policy goals in a White Paper on Irish energy policy or if the EU White Paper can be adapted as appropriate to meet our needs at a national level.