Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a few issues. Will a recent planning decision in respect of Cluddaun, which is a Coillte development, impact on any of the wind farm plans? Coillte was developing the Cluddaun project separately. I am aware from the presentation that Bord na Móna has a joint venture with the Cluddaun project. It seems Bord na Móna, Coillte and ESB are running around the country almost trying to outbid each other to build various wind farms. That is driving the planning process at which Bord na Móna is frustrated. Will the joint venture have a responsibility to communities on the part of the three semi-State companies in this space or just carry on as at present?

In respect of the Northern Ireland issue, have the representatives engaged with customs, the Department of Finance and the Garda? Is Bord na Móna losing money each year? I am aware that many of its loyal suppliers are feeling the heat and are looking to Bord na Móna, as the parent company, to take leadership. Have the representatives engaged with Revenue on that issue?

If Bord na Móna wants to get into biomass, how is it that we had an announcement in Mayo at the weekend that a company is going to import biomass for five or six years? Bord na Móna is one of the largest landowners in County Mayo, literally within miles of where the plant will be based. If Bord na Móna sees a future for itself as the biomass base, it makes no sense when this golden opportunity was presented to it that nobody in the company took the ball and ran with it.

I apologise on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Barry Cowen, who had to attend a family event this afternoon. I know he will engage with you at the other committee.