Dr. Larry O'Connell:

We are aware of the difficulties that occurred under the last biomass scheme. We met representatives of the IFA when we were preparing our report. We are conscious that the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are working to ensure a new scheme can be designed. We would welcome that because there are big opportunities in this area. Any new scheme has to be right if farmers are to be encouraged to participate in it. We spoke on our way to this meeting to a representative of Bord na Móna. It is encouraging that activity is taking place at that level, for example in terms of sitting down and working with farmers. We know there is a demand within Bord na Móna for willow to be grown. We just have to figure out how we can ensure the incentive structure is right, the scheme can develop and the product can be supplied. I remind Deputy Bannon that 92% of all cars that are purchased fall within the first two of the seven bands. In a sense, five of the bands are not doing much work. If we believe they are too clustered, we will have to look at a new system that will provide for greater variety in terms of the way we classify cars. The success of the last system led to the clustering of all the cars.