Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My problem is that we do not know as much about hedgerow coverage as we used to because hedge cutting for road safety purposes is no longer reported to local authorities.

Biogas has been specifically mentioned. I see a potential tension in the future. When methane was discussed last week, we heard that it acts faster. There are concerns that methane, in particular, may need some capping over the next ten years or so as we seek to avoid tipping points.

Biogas is potentially one use of it. It is at least recycling or reusing methane, including methane that may be imported fracked gas. I am not looking at Ireland's overall greenhouse gas emissions but the specific issue of methane. Is there tension about where the acceleration is prioritised? Is the production of methane in farming the area that needs to be transitioned? That is a longer term transition that needs to be engaged in. Is the period for action on methane in the farming sector narrowed if a new methane-intensive import is also brought into the mix by increasing LNG or shale gas imports?