Vol. 470 No. 4
306 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the position he has taken on the proposed Council Directive on rational planning techniques; whether he has opposed the directive; if so, the reason therefor; and the alternative measures, if any, he intends taking in this area to ensure that investment in the energy sector goes to tapping Europe's energy efficiency potential as a matter of priority. [19302/96]
A proposal for a Council Directive to introduce rational planning techniques in the electricity and gas distribution sectors was forwarded by the European Commission to the Council on 14 November 1995. The proposal has been examined by the Council working party on energy on a number of occasions and was also considered by the Permanent Representatives' Committee.
Ireland has welcomed the objective of the Commission's proposal which is to encourage the more rational use of energy. However, a large majority of member states, while welcoming the objective, have expressed a general reservation on the proposal in its present form. In particular, some consider that it is premature to introduce a legally binding instrument.
I assure the Deputy that the Irish Presidency of the European Union has made a considerable effort to progress this matter. However, because of the extent of the opposition among member states to the draft Directive, it has not been possible so far to reach a consensus. The Presidency is in consultation with the Commission in an attempt to establish how progress might be made.
