Mr. P?draic ? hUiginn:

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Mr. Finan. I am conscious of the time, so I will paraphrase a little as I go. Overall, the lack of progress in developing an Irish biogas and-or biomethane industry is a missed opportunity for Team Ireland. This technology can bring numerous benefits, many of which have been well outlined by the previous speakers from Biocore Environmental and Gas Networks Ireland. I will, therefore, focus on two or three of those outlined. Digestate, the other byproduct from biogas production, potentially offers the opportunity to transition from chemical fertilisers and the current spreading of slurry on land. Transitioning to the use of digestate presents an opportunity economically and environmentally. There is also the opportunity for alternative farm enterprise revenue streams. Additionally, there is the opportunity outlined by the representative of Gas Networks Ireland in respect of moving away from fossil fuel imports.

It is important that a biogas industry based on grass and silage does not lead to direct competition for feedstocks with the dairy sector, driving up costs for both. Like any new development there is a need for public awareness of the technology benefits. We see European examples of biogas-biomethane plants located next to residential areas in villages with no issues arising. In Ireland, we have seen some biogas plants welcomed by communities and others meeting sustained objections locally. There is a need to help local government around the planning and in terms of understanding biogas technology and addressing the concerns of local communities and being able to find the right balance in looking after their needs and issues.

Mar is eol don chomhchoiste, tá plean ag an Aontas Eorpach méadú mór a dhéanamh ar an méid den bhithmheatán atá á chur ar fáil sna ballstáit. Tá sé beagnach bliain anois ó sheol an Coimisiún Eorpach an beartas nó plean REPowerEU, le spriocanna uaillmhianacha chun aistriú ón ghás nádúrtha go bithmheatáin faoin bhliain 2030. Tá go leor de na ballstáit eile chun tosaigh orainn air seo. Cur i gcás, tá pleananna uaillmhianacha ag an Danmhairg cheana féin agus tá sí á gcur i bhfeidhm.

Both the EU’s REPowerEU and our national climate action plan set ambitious targets for biomethane. Denmark is a good example and, hopefully, we will get an opportunity to discuss it as an example with members. For Ireland, it is not feasible to consider replacing all current fossil gas supply with renewable biomethane. Long-term policy must consider conserving the renewable gas we produce for specialist tasks like power generation, transport fuel for larger long-haul vehicles and high-end heat uses in industry. Solid biomass in particular and district heating run on bioenergy. Other areas of the sector can help with the heavy lifting and we concentrate renewable biomethane on the most valuable and challenging areas to replace natural gas.

Glacaimid buíochas leis an gcomhchoiste as an deis cur i láthair a thabhairt dó anseo tráthnóna agus táimid ag súil le haon cheisteanna atá ag na baill. We thank the committee for the opportunity to present here today and look forward to answering any questions.