Alan M. Dukes
Ceist:118 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to encourage the production in Ireland of alternative fuels based on vegetable oils.
Written Answers. - Alternative Fuels.
The Programme for Government highlights renewable energy as a priority area for further development. The potential of such energy sources, including the potential for vegetable oil based fuels, is being promoted by my Department.
To date considerable progress has been made on the demonstration side with a biodiesel fleet trial project now in progress. The project is being part funded under the EU Altener programme, the Irish element of which is co-ordinated by my Department. Demonstration projects of this nature are essential in providing practical experience on which any biofuel programme can be based.
It is generally recognised that a biofuel programme could only succeed given substantial tax concessions. This, in the final analysis, will be a matter for the Minister for Finance.