asked the Minister for Energy the percentage of generated electricity produced by (a) peat, (b) oil and (c) hydro in 1981, 1982 and 1983 respectively.

The information requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which, I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The figures given relate to the financial years 1981-1982 and 1982-1983. Information is not yet available for 1983-1984. However, it will be available in the ESB's Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 1984 which will be published later this year.

Following is the statement:

3.

asked the Minister for Energy the percentage of electricity generated by natural gas in 1983.

The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department at present. Percentage figures for the proportion of electricity generated from natural gas in the financial year 1983-1984 will be included in the ESB Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 1984 which will be published later this year.

The ESB Annual Report for the financial year ended 31 March 1983 states that the percentage of electricity generated by natural gas in that year was 49.4 per cent. The Deputy can take it that for the year ended 31 March 1984 it will be of this order also.

Is it the intention of the Government to reduce the quantity of natural gas which will be made available to the ESB for electricity generation?

I am not aware of any decision having been taken. From the coming on stream of the Moneypoint operation——

Does the Minister agree that Moneypoint is not the only consideration — that there is in existence a considerable capacity for the generation of electricity from peat? Does he agree that a further factor involved is what is the optimum use of gas? Is it not generally accepted that the generation capacity is not in optimum use?

I agree. Obviously, the dual development of the gas grid and pipelines for the provision of gas throughout the country and the developments simultaneously taking place in the ESB will have an effect on the ultimate decision. I agree with the principle that there is not optimum use being made of gas.

In those circumstances would the Minister agree that it is in the overall national interest to reduce the abnormally high percentage, more than 49 per cent, of our electricity being generated from natural gas?

I agree. That will be done over a period.

When does the Minister anticipate that the run down in the use of natural gas for this purpose will begin?

I am not in a position to say. It will be a matter of years. I am sure the Deputy is aware of the timing. Specific dates are not available now.