Fianna Fáil is to unveil its proposals on a new policy document on energy tomorrow, Tuesday.

The party's spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Michael Moynihan TD said Ireland's current energy policy is driving up consumer prices.

Deputy Moynihan said: "Moving towards a carbon neutral environment is a long term goal that must be targeted to ensure future generations will be in a position to be energy self-sufficient" said Deputy Moynihan.

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"Ireland is still excessively dependent on energy importation to power homes and businesses. This is a precarious position that we find ourselves in given the changing energy environment globally.

"Ireland is obligated to meet the EU target of 16% for all energy to be generated from renewable sources by 2020. Concrete steps must to be taken now to allow us to attain this target. It is also important that Ireland does not become over reliant on any one particular energy source. We must diversify where possible to achieve overall energy security."

The policy paper focuses on:

• Ensuring a balanced and secure energy mix

• Investment in retrofitting homes and businesses

• Reforming and empowering the Commission for Energy Regulation to reduce prices

• Planning infrastructure with community consensus

• Examining the expansion of biomass.

(CD/MH)