John Gormley

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126. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason he restricted the feed-in fixed price tariff support system to 400 MW of installed power; if he will extend such a support system to include offshore wind farms and the wide variety of new biomass technologies which could provide a consistent and secure source of energy supply; and the reason for the restrictions in the development of new renewable resources when the fixed prices are in many cases below the best new entrant price for a gas fired power station as estimated by the energy regulator. [27840/05] (more…)

196. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the grants available to householders for investment in alternative technologies such as heat pumps, solar panels, energy and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15361/05]
 
   Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey): Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, including research, on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.  Under Sustainable Energy Ireland’s research, development and demonstration programme, House of Tomorrow, heat pumps and solar panels are just two of a number of energy technologies eligible for support in the context of an integrated set of measures comprising a whole house energy efficiency solution.  The programme is open to demonstration projects involving clusters of five or more homes.  Funding is available for whole house measures at a rate of up to €5,000 per house in such developments.  Funding is not available under the programme for homes on an individual basis.  Direct funding support is not available to individual householders.

85. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the intended management structure in the new three person energy regulator following the appointment of two new additional commissioners; if the conditions and rank of each commissioner are the same; and the way in which decisions from the regulator have to be approved among the three commissioners. [14552/05] (more…)

57. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance when he will implement promised measures in relation to favourable tax treatment for the production of biodiesel. [2592/05]
 
   Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen): The Deputy may be aware that section 98(a) of the Finance Act 1999, as inserted by section 50 of the Finance Act 2004, provides for the introduction of a scheme for excise tax relief for biofuels.  The purpose of the scheme is to allow qualified and conditional relief from excise of biofuel used in approved pilot projects for either the production of biofuel or the testing of the technical viability of biofuel for use as a motor fuel.
  The European Commission has confirmed that the scheme would represent a State aid and consequently its approval is required.  My Department, together with the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources, has submitted a formal application for Commission approval for a scheme which includes pure plant oil, biodiesel and bioethanol.  The EU Energy Tax Directive 2003 envisages such tax relief and the Commission has approved schemes for excise relief of biofuel in other EU member States.  Assuming approval is granted, the necessary commencement order will then be signed.

138. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will offer additional offshore wind farm contracts as part of the allocation of additional contracts under the AER VI programme; and the factors which preclude him providing such additional contracts. [31241/04] (more…)

  40. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has carried out an analysis on the possible use of waste wood products from the forestry industry as a fuel mix in peat and coal powered electricity generation stations; and the level of substitution he views as possible in each case. [13691/04] (more…)

  18. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the powers of direction he has to direct the ESB National Grid or the Energy regulator with regard to moratoriums on connection agreements with wind farm operators; his views on whether the recent moratorium on new wind farm connections was necessary and proportional in relation to the issues raised by the ESB National Grid; and the targets and obligations outlined in the EU renewables directive. [10308/04] (more…)

33. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the progress he is making to have the Euratom treaty phased out as a promotional vehicle for giving the nuclear industry special treatment in relation to renewable energy development. [7223/04]
 
   Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen): I am aware of the view expressed by the European Commission in its Green Paper of 2001, Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply, that the nuclear option must be examined in terms of its contribution to security of energy supply and greenhouse gas emissions.  The Government rejects nuclear energy and does not regard it as the solution to the problem of security of energy supply and greenhouse gas emissions.  With regard to the phasing out of the Euratom treaty, I refer to the reply to Question No. 141 of 3 February 2004. 

 65. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he envisages a role in the introduction of a strategy that will help average the electrical demand profile in view of the €4 billion on the grid upgrades and reinforcements; and his views on whether there is a benefit from introducing a customer energy efficiency levy as is practised by Northern Ireland Electricity. [31389/03] (more…)