Brussels, 23/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Ireland has been working on making the directives on renewable energies and quality fuels a key dossier during its presidency of the Council.
On Wednesday 23 January, Pat Rabbitte presented the Presidency's energy related priorities to the European Parliament. He confirmed that the draft text amending the renewable energies and quality fuels directives to take into account greenhouse gas emissions linked to indirect land use would be at the heart of the work undertaken by the two formal European energy ministers' meetings on 22 February and 7 June. He also said that this would include sustainability criteria. Overall, renewables are taking up a large part of the Presidency programme. On Wednesday, Rabbitte highlighted the essential issue of their integration into networks and expressed his hope that renewables and energy efficiency would play a key role in future.
Energy efficiency and energy savings will be at the centre of the informal energy ministerial planned for 23-24 April in Dublin. Environment ministers have also been invited to attend. Debates will focus on the question of the application and development of new technologies to improve energy efficiency, sustainability and distribution. The Irish Presidency is highlighting the possible contribution of energy efficiency to the EU's economic recovery.
Dublin also intends to do its best to complete the internal energy market as planned for 2014, particularly by encouraging the EU27's implementation of European legislation on this. Addressing energy committee members from Parliament on Wednesday, Rabbitte insisted that they needed to make as much progress as possible. The minister said that developing infrastructure and smart networks was also crucial. The Irish Presidency is also making the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) another priority dossier during its tenure. Rabbitte is also seeking to conclude the dossier on legislation to ensure the security of offshore oil and gas activities, which made good progress under the Cypriot Presidency.
Ireland is hoping that the European Council on energy on 30 May will provide an opportunity for providing a new boost to Europe's energy policy. (EH/transl.fl)