Mr. John Keane:

I thank Deputy Carthy for his question on anaerobic digestion. It is a good one and concerns something that our members have been championing for many years. Some of the biggest issues which have arisen during our meetings include, first and foremost, planning and obtaining planning permission for the building of these facilities. It has become an issue in the context of some of the facilities that have been erected and the elongated process in that regard. Another major issue, as mentioned previously, concerns the feed-in tariff to the national grid not being rewarding enough to justify farmers investing in this process and in this source of power.

Regarding diversification, as Mr. Enright said, we have heard this topic mentioned many times before. However, providing viable diversity options is something that has been slow to materialise.

Turning to the anaerobic digestion, and similar to what Mr. Cullinan said, getting the digestate into and out of the plant in the context of where that sits within regulations has become an issue and is remaining an issue for those supplying and running the plant.

There are a number of issues, therefore, and legislation and investment must catch up with the ambition that is there to invest in these facilities. Our members feel that once proper investment is put in place, these facilities can offer a variable income for some of our farming sectors.