Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologies for missing the early part of the meeting; I had to attend another event. I thank Professor Boyle for his contribution. I would like a steer on one issue. Teagasc does a good deal of research, which is the potential for different uses of land. I am interested in the further development of that research. Research and development are the buzz words we hear everywhere. I am conscious that much of the research that is done can prove the economic viability of a concept at a certain scale but commercialising that and making it a reality requires somebody to take it on, and usually it is left to the private sector to do that. While farmers may have an interest in issues such as the work done on willow, miscanthus and different grasses, Professor Boyle is talking about developing a sector and not just developing an additional farm enterprise. There is no point in growing this stuff unless it will be processed and brought to market somewhere and there is a clear track it can go down to ensure people can believe in it.

In respect of that, is there a gap there? If there is, how can it be filled? I understand it is not Teagasc’s place to bring that to a conclusion. However, how or where does Professor Boyle think that could be brought to a conclusion and where we could develop these trialled ideas as viable alternative sectors for farmers in many areas?