8 Noll 2011, 10:45
Members of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture yesterday scrutinised EU energy legislation with officials from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The Department officials outlined the European Commission’s Energy Efficiency Directive which, sets binding targets to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020.
Speaking after the meeting, Committee Chairman, Andrew Doyle, TD said: “We thank the Department officials for the detailed briefing and note the number of worthwhile initiatives in the Directive.
“The Committee accepts the imperative to improve energy efficiency and that Ireland, particularly in areas such as smart metering, has made substantial progress in this area.
“The Committee takes on board the officials’ view that these binding targets are achievable for Ireland. The Committee has some concerns, however, on whether the path set out by the Commission for Member States to achieve these targets might be too prescriptive. These concerns will be included in our upcoming report on the matter.”
The Select Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources also met to discuss the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill with Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, TD.
Deputy Doyle continued: “The Select Committee had a productive meeting with Minister Rabbitte, where considerations around energy efficiency also loomed large. While most aspects of the Bill were uncontested, we appreciate the Minister taking on board the concerns of Committee members on fostering greater energy efficiency in homes.”
Access a recording of both meetings.
Ends
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Paul Hand,
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paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fail
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fail
John Whelan, Labour Party