Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2007
1009 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if Ireland has met its target of 1.14% in use of biofuels and other renewable fuels in the Member States of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2252/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra1010 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures he is taking or proposes to take to promote the development of biorefinery industries seeking to develop the use of lignocellulose crops and certain wastes which provide chemicals that can be used to replace the national dependency on imported petroleums, diesels and petroleum based fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2253/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra1014 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason he has kept targets for the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels at a minimum level, the lowest in Europe, and still failed to reach the 2005 target in view of the fact that this Country has ample agriculture capacity; the reason no targets have been set for 2009 and 2010 unlike many other EU countries; the steps he will take to improve Ireland’s record in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2273/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1009, 1010 and 1014 together.
The EC Biofuels Directive establishes indicative targets of 2% market penetration of biofuels for Member States by end 2005 and 5.75% by end 2010. The targets are not mandatory. Member States combined set targets of 1.4% for 2005 but the overall market penetration in Europe reached in 2005 was actually 1%. Figures are not yet available for the actual market penetration of biofuels for 2006. Ireland has reported a target of 2.2% market penetration of biofuels by 2008 and this has been accepted by the European Commission.
The Government is firmly committed to the development of an Irish biofuels market and to the increased development of bio-energy generally in Ireland. A range of initiatives are in place to support the development of a biofuels sector in Ireland. The 2005 pilot mineral oil tax relief scheme for biofuels has resulted in eight projects being awarded excise relief for a two year period under the scheme. Building on the success of this scheme a further Biofuels Mineral Oil tax Relief Scheme II was introduced in 2006, valued at over €200m. Under this scheme sixteen projects have been awarded excise relief to the period 2010. The scheme will enable us to reach the initial target of 2.2% market penetration of biofuels by 2008. When fully operational the relief is expected to support the use and production of some 163 million litres of biofuels each year.
In addition to the support programmes in place for current technologies, my Department will continue to support research and development in this area. The resulting biofuels and bio-products, while not yet at a commercial stage, will have significant economic potential once fully developed.
In tandem with the roll-out of the Schemes, my Department has been working on further initiatives to stimulate the development of biofuels in Ireland. The Bio-energy Ministerial Task Force has been considering options for the development of future Biofuels policy initiatives. The National BioEnergy Action Plan will be published shortly. The forthcoming White Paper on Energy Policy will also set out actions and targets to 2020 having regard also to EU developments.
