267 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent on fossil fuel imports for each year 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; if he will provide a breakdown of total fossil fuel use here across the main sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46973/10]

The Energy Policy and Statistical Support Unit (EPSSU) of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland gather and publish a wide range of data on energy related matters. This includes detailed data on energy consumption and prices, broken down by sector.

SEAI does not publish official financial estimates due to the inherent difficulties associated with the fact that fuel prices change through time, and different prices are charged for different volumes. Specific data on the amount spent on imports is therefore not available; however it is possible to estimate overall expenditure by the consumer on the basis of an overall price approximation.

All figures expressed in ktoe (kilo tonnes of oil equivalent).