Dr. Larry O'Connell:

I echo Dr. O'Donnell's comments. I might connect the issue with the question on animal waste. The solution to the latter can be somewhat similar, that is, entrepreneurial activity led by agencies to try to figure out what to do. When one examines the economics, using animal waste to reduce emissions is more costly than other options within the agricultural sector. This alone tends to knock it out of contention when one considers the marginal abatement cost curve, MACC, carried out for us by Teagasc. However, using animal waste is a good idea in terms of its impact on emissions, the environment, landfill and job creation potential, but we need to work with agencies to figure out how to do it in a cost effective way. For example, the desk analysis implies the need for a centralised large anaerobic digestion plant. It is interesting that companies such as Bord Gáis are considering how to produce bio-methane gas from animal waste. If anyone will figure out how to do it in a cost-effective way, it will be at that level.