Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
772. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the current proposed limits on the use of crop based biofuels currently being negotiated in the European Union; the effects such limits would have here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38320/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Last year, the EU Commission proposed a new directive, which would include amendments to the Renewable Energy Directive, to take into account the risk of Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) occurring as a result of the production of certain biofuels. ILUC is where the growing of crops for energy impacts on land use elsewhere. One of the amendments proposed was to limit to 5%, in energy terms, the contribution that certain crop based biofuels can make towards renewable energy targets for transport in EU Member States.The draft directive is still being discussed at EU Council Working Group level and a final Council position has yet to be agreed. The percentage that crop based biofuels will be allowed to contribute towards targets has proven to be a difficult issue to gain agreement on. I understand that the latest proposal from the Lithuanian Presidency is for a 7% cap on first generation biofuels which could be counted towards renewable energy targets. I also understand that the European Parliament has recently voted for a 6% cap but it appears that it has not yet a mandate to negotiate with Council. I am in agreement that the issue of ILUC needs to be addressed and that that the production of next generation biofuels, which have little or no risk of ILUC, must to be encouraged and supported.
Though the increased deployment of electric vehicles will make some contribution towards Ireland's 2020 transport target, the vast bulk of the target will be met by the use of biofuels. We import most of our biofuel requirements and will continue to do so to 2020. Currently, there is only one biofuel producer of scale in Ireland who produces biodiesel from waste materials, such as used cooking oil and tallow. This producer will not be impacted by the ILUC proposal. The availability of competitively priced sustainable biofuels to 2020 will continue to be monitored by my Department.
