Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
157 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the renewable fuels standard which is part of US farmer friendly energy legislation; and if resources will be invested into developing plans for farmers to create renewable energy in the interests of rural employment, cleaner air and fuel safety. [5063/04]
View answerI am fully committed to developing a range of sustainable and renewable energy options for Ireland. The renewable fuels standard legislation was passed by the US Senate in June 2003 and was backed by a coalition which included agricultural groups. Among the measures included in this legislation was a target for the use of renewable fuels in refineries.
The EU directive on the promotion of the use of bio-fuels or other renewable fuels for transport has a similar provision in that it obliges member states to set targets for the percentage of bio-fuels to be used in transport fuels. Research is being conducted into the potential for bio-fuels in Ireland and a number of pilot projects are already under way. These projects, some of which are supported by Sustainable Energy Ireland, include the growing of rapeseed which can be converted into bio-diesel and then used in transport fuels. New measures have also been included in the 2004 Finance Bill, which will allow excise exemption on pilot projects for bio-fuels. Inevitably, there will be a knock-on effect for farmers, who may grow rapeseed to service the market or for whom this will provide a market for certain farming waste products.
I recently established a bio-energy strategy group, comprising representatives of my Department, Sustainable Energy Ireland, the Departments of Agriculture and Food and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, COFORD and various industry representatives. The group is considering the potential for all forms of bio-energy, including energy from agricultural and forestry production and waste. The group will report to me by the end of 2004 with proposals to increase market penetration of these environmentally friendly energy products, which may benefit farmers through production of new products or through creating a market for waste, products which farmers may have traditionally had to pay to dispose of.
