Vol. 420 No. 9
28 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Energy if, in view of the huge growth in energy consumption and demand in recent years, he will outline the way in which he plans to meet the EC objective of improving final energy demand by 20 per cent by 1995.
A review of the member states' energy policies carried out by the Commission of the European Communities in 1988 concluded that the Community would be unlikely to attain its 1995 objective of improving the energy intensity of final demand by at least 20 per cent unless the energy efficiency shortfall was to be corrected.
In order to achieve this objective the European Community is pursuing a concerted programme of action to remedy this situation. This includes programmes in the efficient use of energy (the SAVE Programme) and a programme aimed at increasing, inter alia, the use of energy efficient technologies in the Community (the THERMIE Programme).
Ireland is actively participating in all aspects of the Community's programmes, in parallel wih our national energy conservation programme which involves energy efficient promotional activities by my Department, Eolas and the ESB.
