Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2014
101. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects his Green Paper on energy to be published; if he is willing to take submissions on this paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5733/14]
View answerThe energy policy landscape has undergone considerable change since the Energy Policy White Paper was published in 2007. Having regard to this, my Department is currently preparing an Energy Green Paper identifying issues that need to be considered in the development of Ireland’s energy policy to meet current and future challenges. Those issues include:
- EU legislative and policy developments as well as initiatives proposed by the EU institutions;
- the growing prominence of renewable energy and the advent of new technologies facilitating development of cleaner fuels;
- the consequences of transitioning to a low carbon economy and society to counter the threat of climate change;
- the unconventional oil and gas revolution,
- global and domestic financial crises and their impacts on society and the economy.
These issues have necessitated adjustments in the energy policy response, so as to ensure that the energy sector plays a key role in enabling future growth.
Competitiveness, security of supply, and sustainability, as well as energy policy’s potential to support economic growth and job creation, will be the key objectives of the Green Paper which I expect to publish by the middle of this year.
I expect to formally launch a consultation process on the Paper and to invite written submissions from the general public and interested parties on their views, observations and suggestions on the shape of Ireland’s future energy policy. The purpose of the Green Paper will be to stimulate debate on these key energy policy objectives and how they may be achieved.
On completion of the public consultation process, the views expressed in all submissions received will be considered and policy options developed with a view to the publication of a new Energy Policy Framework in the form of a White Paper. The public consultation process, along with the relevant stakeholder engagement, will contribute significantly to the development of the White Paper which I expect to publish by the end of 2014.
