Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Ceist:90 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Energy the implications which he envisages from the Internal Energy Market proposals for the Irish peat industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Peat Industry.
There are no specific proposals in relation to the peat industry in the proposals of the EC for a single energy market; the market is essentially an open one.
It can, however, be assumed that from 1992 there will be greater integration of energy markets generally and that barriers to free trade of energy products and services will have been removed in many instances. It is not expected that the greater competition which may ensue will adversely affect the position of peat fuels.
The accelerating move towards the completion of the internal market means that Bord na Móna's current drive towards greater competitiveness is particularly timely.