David Stanton
Ceist:74 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the funding made available by her towards research and development of bio-energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18336/01]
Written Answers. - Alternative Energy Project.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 4 of 10 May 2001. The position remains unchanged.
David Stanton
Ceist:75 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the involvement of the State with the International Energy Agency; her views on the bio-energy agreement of the agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18337/01]
Ireland is an active participant in the work of the International Energy Agency and is a member of the governing board. The IEA Bio-energy Implementing Agreement is an international collaborative agreement to improve international co-operation and information exchange between national research, development and demonstration programmes on bio-energy Its work area includes the technical improvement of biomass crop production technologies, development of systems and guidelines for environmentally sustainable and economic production of biomass for energy and other uses.
Ireland is not a contracting party to the Bio-energy Implementing Agreement. However, the Irish Energy Centre as part of its new programme of energy research and development, is currently examining Ireland's future participation in a number of IEA energy related agreements, including the bio-energy agreement. I am confident that the Irish Energy Centre's examination will conclude shortly and a final decision on contracting to the Bio-energy Implementing Agreement will be made before the end of the year.