Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry for Energy Production.
- Short-rotation forestry for energy 2 speeches
The Minister cited studies estimating that short-rotation forestry could supply up to 15 per cent of national energy needs by 2000 and said he would encourage further study.
John M. Kelly, Martin O'Donoghue
- Transfer of Kelly’s questions 8 speeches
Kelly sought an explanation for why questions about energy were transferred to this Minister. The Chair ruled the matter out of order and urged him to move on; the Minister referred him to the Whips or the Ceann Comhairle’s Office.
John M. Kelly, Joseph Brennan, Martin O'Donoghue
asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if his Department have formed an opinion on the possibilities of a short rotation forestry for energy production; and if, particularly in view of its employment potential as well as its potential for alternative industrial use, he will study the matter with the advice of the National Board for Science and Technology.
Comment on this
Studies by the National Science Council have indicated the potentially large contribution of short-rotation forestry to national energy requirements. It has been estimated that under the most favourable conditions this contribution could reach as high as 15 per cent of total energy requirements by the year 2000.
In view of the potential of this energy source it is my intention to encourage the NBST to continue the valuable work of the National Science Council in this area. Perhaps that answers the Deputy's point.
Comment on this
May I ask the Minister one question? It will probably surprise him; I do not mean to upset him. Would he tell me, if he can, why an absolutely identical question to this one and the foregoing one which I put down to his colleague, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, was transferred to himself? That must have happened through his acquiescence. I removed these two questions as I did not want to have duplicate questions to the same Minister——
Comment on this
That does not arise and I implore the Deputy to cease making statements. We have a good deal of questions to answer.
Comment on this
I am doing that but I am trying to discover from the Minister—and I do not want to upset him and I know he may not have expected this question—why questions addressed to a Minister who has the word "energy" in his title——
Comment on this
I am not in the least upset but I am not as familiar with the procedures of the House as the Deputy. In the circumstances I am going to obey the ruling of the Chair. If the Deputy thinks I am covering up in any way, let him please take it up with the Whips or with the Ceann Comhairle's Office.