Chairman:

As we are short on time, I will keep everyone, including myself, on track. I will list some questions to get the best interaction with the witnesses before we bring in our next set of witnesses. One of the central planks of Bord na Móna's strategy is replacing peat with renewables and, what Mr. Donnellan called, greenhouse gas neutral biomass energy. Can he expand on how biomass will be greenhouse gas neutral, how much biomass into the future will be sourced domestically and how much will be imported? Has the company considered the implications in terms of air quality issues when large amounts of biomass are being burned and how is the company addressing those issues? Has Bord na Móna considered the sustainability impacts of importing biomass into the future, for example, the carbon footprint of shipping and road transport and also the displacement of food production? Also, how can we encourage Irish farmers to produce biomass when they can achieve higher returns from other types of land use? How is the company working with Coillte on bioenergy given their potentially complementary roles in this area? What impact will the move to co-firing with biomass have on emissions from the three midlands power stations out to 2028? Regarding the "just transition" process, what feasibility studies has the company undertaken to take into account the skills base of its current workforce and should all that work on feasibility studies not have preceded the announcement in recent weeks regarding the workforce and the impact that would have on them?

What support structure is needed from State agencies and Departments in respect of that just transition and to ensure that said transition is robust?

What proportion of the Bord na Móna estate has been severely degraded due to drainage and peat extraction? Are there figures for this? What work has Bord na Móna undertaken to identify this or to restore the boglands for the future? Are there calculations in respect of the carbon storage potential of suitable parts of the Bord na Móna estate for restoration? What are Bord na Móna's plans for the production of peat briquettes and peat moss post 2028?