Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Senator Michelle Mulherin. My first questions are for the Renewable Gas Forum. Will the witnesses outline the benefits and potential risks, if any, with respect to the production of biomethane? There are probably no such risks but I must ask the question. Would a specific kilowatt tariff be required to get a biogas operation running on a farm versus what would be got back? Would a certain subsidy be proposed? The witnesses spoke about slurry storage versus silage. Have case studies been done on how many cows would generate a certain amount of gas on a certain number of acres? That is the way farmers would be thinking on the basics.

Some of the questions on wind energy have been answered. There was mention of 32 GW of wind energy potential but how many windmills would that require with current technology? What kind of studies have been done on costs in getting this moving and allowing us become a wind energy exporter?

Planning on the solar side was mentioned. Other than that, are there blockages in the system to people putting a different heating system in a domestic house? Legislative changes were changed but is there something we can do in marketing industry to attract domestic users to change their technology or go with solar in new houses? Have the witnesses interacted with any farming organisations? There are many rooftops over cubicles and slatted units that could be used.