Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
539. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions that he had with fellow Ministers at the EU energy Council held in Luxembourg on Friday, 7 June 2013; if he will detail the decisions made at the Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27782/13]
View answerAt the Energy part of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council, which was held in Luxembourg on Friday, I presided over discussions by EU Energy Ministers on the areas of the internal energy market, the indirect land-use change issue in relation to biofuels production, energy technologies and innovation, and external energy relations.
Ministers were presented with a progress report on the Commission Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, known as the ILUC proposal. The proposal is intended, among other measures, to limit the production of conventional biofuels due to the impact of indirect land-use change (ILUC) on greenhouse gas emissions resulting from biofuels, and incentivising the production of advanced biofuels that have no ILUC effects. The report sets out the progress made under the Irish Presidency in trying to establish a Council position in advance of negotiations with the European Parliament to reach an agreement under the co-decision process.
Council Conclusions on the Commission’s Communication, “Making the Internal Energy Market Work”, were adopted by Ministers. During discussions on this point, Ministers took stock of the conclusions adopted by Heads of State and Government at the European Council on 22 May, which highlighted completion of the internal energy market (including development of interconnections to end isolation of Member States from energy networks), investments in energy infrastructure, the diversification of energy sources, and enhanced energy efficiency as the main issues to be addressed in order to foster competitiveness and respond to the challenges of high energy prices. The detailed Council Conclusions adopted by Energy Ministers build on the European Council Conclusions of 22 May and provide guidance on the tasks ahead, e.g. completion of the internal market, elimination of energy isolation, improved rights and roles of consumers, and the transition to the energy market of the future.
Concerning the Commission’s Communication on Energy Technologies and Innovation, the Energy Council held an extensive debate on the need for increased focus on innovation policy to address research and development, the deployment of new technologies, and the putting in place of support mechanisms for accelerated roll-out and implementation of sustainable energy technologies. There was also discussion on how to improve and reinforce the existing institutional frameworks in order to support a more integrated approach to innovation and technology development, including strengthening the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan.
Ministers were also briefed on international relations in the field of energy. I briefed Ministers on developments in the International Energy Agency, and on the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting, which took place in India in April. The Commission briefed Ministers on issues such as developments in relation to the Southern Gas Corridor, on relations with Ukraine and on relations with Russia.
Finally, the Council was informed of the energy policy priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency under the heading of ‘Growing Europe’.
In noting a successful conclusion to Ireland’s Presidency in the field of energy at the Energy Council last week, I took the opportunity to wish every success to the incoming Lithuanian Presidency and stated that responsible development of our energy resources, and innovation in the ways in which we consume them, are vital to maintaining European competitiveness and keeping prices down for both households and business.
