Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Anaerobic digestion has amazing potential. Experience has informed us that when someone decides to get into the business their first thought is to locate the system where there will be a minimal amount of objections. I am sure that the officials are aware of that happening. I have witnessed people attempt to build anaerobic digesters in areas where they presumed there would be a minimal level of objections. That led to a situation similar to what Deputy Mulherin described, namely environmentally friendly fuel turning out not to be kind to the environment. In other words, the EU proximity principle was completely ignored because more fuel was used up transporting feed stock, waste or resources to an anaerobic digester than was produced. I am a fan of anaerobic digestion and it would be brilliant to build a digester beside the prison in my town but it will be hard to persuade people that the process is safe. If we do not persuade the public that it is not dangerous, those who want to produce energy using anaerobic digestion will end up stuck in the planning process involving planning permission and endless judicial reviews.

Anaerobic digestion is known as incineration where I come from, which is preposterous. One would have to be a brave politician to say otherwise. We must be cognisant of that fact when taking this route.