19 Sep 2012, 11:26
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications will tomorrow meet with Günther Oettinger, the European Commissioner for Energy.
19 September 2012
The Commissioner will address the Committee on the theme Challenges for European Energy Policy. Central to EU energy policy are the \"20-20-20\" targets, which set three key objectives for Member States to reach by 2020:
- A 20 percent reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels;
- Raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 20 percent, and
- A 20 percent improvement in the EU's energy efficiency.
Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: “Our Committee has an important role in scrutinising European Union proposals and tomorrow’s engagement with Commissioner Oettinger provides a valuable opportunity for us to assess the challenges for European energy policy. The Commissioner is in Ireland to open the East-West interconnector between Ireland and Wales, which is a crucial part of our national infrastructure that will enhance energy security and assist in the development of renewable energy on the island.
“Members may also wish to raise a Committee Report published earlier in the year, which encapsulates some of the concerns for Ireland on the EU’s important energy efficiency directive. The report was published by the Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture in March and stated that, while Ireland has a national target in line with the EU energy saving directive, the Committee does not support ‘binding’ targets at this juncture. The report advises that Member States should be allowed to achieve these targets based on the optimal mix of targets, schemes and programmes for a particular country.”
The meeting will commence with a session with John Horgan, Chairperson Designate of Bord na Móna.
Deputy Hayes continues: “Under the Programme for Government, those who are being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee. The meeting tomorrow with Mr Horgan will allow the Committee discuss the approach he proposes to take as Chairperson and his views about the current challenges facing Bord na Móna.”
“The Committee does not have a blocking role in the appointment and following the discussion tomorrow, decisions will be taken by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate, to confirm Mr Horgan as chairperson.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow afternoon Thursday 20 September at 1:45 p.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. The engagement with Commissioner will commence at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis. Sinn Féin
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Colm Keaveney, Fine Gael
Seán Kenny, Labour
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fáil
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan