asked the Minister for Energy the reason for the delay in his Department publishing a White Paper on energy policy.

During the past year and a half I have implemented a number of changes in energy policy which will have repercussions for several years ahead.

The preparation of a policy document to encompass these and other developments in the rapidly changing energy scene has been in hands for some time past and I have been looking forward to its completion at an early date. However, we are now faced with further significant initiatives at EC level in relation to the achievement of a single European market. These are likely to take some time to unfold and we will not be in a position to complete our study until a better perspective of likely developments on that front is available.

I should like to ask the Minister if the talk of a White Paper on energy is more bluster, like the emergency plan we were to have on radiation. Is it not the case that the Minister is adrift in the energy sphere without any coherent strategy? Is that why we have high cost energy, high pollution energy and poor efficiency energy?

Sweeping statements about high cost energy, or high pollution energy will be dealt with later. We have had top-of-the-head papers produced by Deputy Bruton about energy costs here compared with those in Europe which were far off the mark. I should like to assure the Deputy that I am anxious that we produce a proper White Paper. A number of issues arise in relation to 1992. For example, there is the possibility of the inter-connection of Ireland's electricity and our gas grid with the UK and Europe. There is also the question of a general review of the operations of Bord na Móna which is taking place and the effect of the review of offshore terms announced by me in September 1987. I want to see what will happen in relation to the recent amendment of the electricity Acts and the computerised energy information system. A number of major changes are taking place and that may mean that a White Paper will be out of date as soon as it is published. I do not want that to happen. Unlike Deputy Bruton I do not want to publish documents on the basis of reports that are out of date.

Will we be reacting ad hoc to the issues that arise? The Minister will not be producing any strategy?

The reaction Minister.