Vol. 472 No. 5
23 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the progress, if any, which has been made during Ireland's Presidency of the EU regarding developing an integrated EU policy on promoting and developing renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23544/96]
At EU level, the optimum exploitation of renewables can only be achieved within the framework of a co-ordinated support strategy. For this reason, and considering the important role renewable energy will play in meeting future Irish and EU energy needs, the development of an EU strategy for renewables has been highlighted as an energy priority of Ireland's Presidency.
As a result of this, and following pressure from my Department and me, the Commission presented a Green Paper on an EU Strategy for Renewable Energy to the Council of Ministers meeting which I chaired on 3 December. Because of the importance which I attach to renewables, the Presidency held an open debate on the topic at Council. The Commission's Green Paper was generally welcomed by Ministers who recognised that renewables have a role to play in enhancing security of energy supply and in addressing the environmental impact of energy production.
I believe the strategy must be capable of facilitating the successful exploitation of the European renewable resource and of supporting the development of a strong, self-sustaining and competitive renewable energy industry and technology manufacturing base. Only in this way can it make a positive contribution to job creation and economic development.
I expect the strategy and a detailed action plan to be finalised my mid-1997.
