John Bruton
Ceist:27 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he has satisfied himself with the method of publication within Ireland of Irish energy statistics.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Energy Statistics.
The Central Statistics Office publishes a range of energy statistics in publications relating to different topics such as prices, foreign trade, census of industrial production and household budget survey. My Department maintains a database of detailed energy statistics which is used to service ad hoc requests and to respond to EC and international enegry agency requirements. Both the EC and IEA publish regular and comprehensive energy statistics for each member state, including Ireland. In addition EOLAS issues a regular comparison of effective energy costs for all types of domestic fuel.
Although I am satisfied that there is full disclosure of all energy facts through the above mentioned sources, I will examine whether there is room for improvement, particularly in relation to how this material is presented.
Is it not an abdication of the responsibility of his Department that the Minister of State told this House that the International Energy Agency publishes Irish energy statistics in a comprehensive form but that his Department, which is responsible for that matter, does not? Is the Minister of State aware that the availability of energy statistics from his Department was one of the items most severely criticised at a recent conference sponsored by the Central Statistics Office on availability of statistics generally? Will he agree in view of the environmental concerns about electricity and energy generation in general, that the publication of accurate and timely statistics should be a major concern of his Department?
I certainly agree that the publication of energy statistics is very important. I also agree that the International Energy Agency has a key role in ensuring that international information is available; obviously it has information from Ireland which is available publicly and regularly. Deputy Bruton should realise that a decision was taken by his Government in 1985 to discontinue the publication of these statistics.
Does the Minister of State believe that the statistics should be published by his Department and, if so, will he arrange for their publication?
The information should be readily available. We are reviewing the position at present in the context of the information available from EOLAS, the International Energy Agency and the European Commission. I hope that more information will be readily available in the future and we are working towards that end.
Do the statistics on energy include both the available sources of renewable energy and also wave potential. Experts from Scotland have told me that in this country we have the largest wave potential in Europe which is not being utilised one iota and would in fact allow us to export energy. Since the early eighties we had a wave report which I believe the Minister may have in his Department. However, since then I have heard nothing.
I do not have that information to hand, but if the Deputy will put down a specific question I will be delighted to give him the most up to date information. Suffice it to say that comparative energy information is consistently and constantly available from Eolas to any consumer.
In view of the fact that it was decided to discontinue the publication of information in 1985, can the Minister tell me who the Minister was on that occasion?
I cannot recollect now, but if the Deputy checks the Dáil records or with the General Office it should be possible to ascertain who held that very responsible post at that time.
A Deputy
It will spring to mind in a while.