A change to the way petrol and diesel are sold to motorists has been announced by Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Eamon Ryan.
Minister Ryan is demanding that fuel companies ensure 4% of their sales come from biofuels by the middle of next year.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister Ryan said that the 4% target will be revised upwards when the technology improves.
'We need, as a security device in the event of an oil shock, a supply (of fuel) that does not come from the Middle East,' the Minister said.
He added that the policy will help to cut Ireland's emissions and develop the biofuels industry.
Up to €6bn is spent each year buying oil and gas from abroad and these fuels generate lots of greenhouse gases.
The Government says biofuels produce 35% less greenhouse gas than fossil fuels.
The change should not cause problems for motorists. To have a small percentage of biofuel mixed with petrol or diesel will not require their vehicle to be changed in any way.
The Government says conditions will be introduced to ensure that biofuels come from sustainable sources.
However, Tom Bruton of the Irish Bioenergy Association said the proposals do not specify where the biofuel will come from, so it could come from anywhere or any source sustainable or otherwise.
