Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir:

These are good questions. We enjoyed the visit from the Senator. Senator Lombard referred to the Kinsale gas field. I know Ervia has developed plans for it. Since the gas field is largely depleted a policy decision is urgent, because there is potentially a lost opportunity. We need analysis around that, what it would deliver and we need to try to anticipate unintended consequences. It would be important to have a serious look now at some of the things that have come up rather than in a few years' time, when it is too late. I will ask Dr. Glynn to come in on that point.

Senator Lombard asked about anaerobic digestion. We have done some analysis. It was undertaken by my colleagues who work in biogas. They have mapped out the country and looked at where we could put digesters based on the different types of farming activity, the different potential for grass and the different feedstocks. I would be happy to share that with the committee.