Mr. Seán Finan:

The development of favourable policy and supports for wind and solar in the form of the renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, is proof that a supportive policy structure can build and mobilise the market and the sector. While the renewable electricity sector has its challenges, it has a supporting policy and is on the road to delivery so the sector can focus on regulatory challenges and the roll-out of projects. The biomethane sector is only at a starting point following the publication of the national biomethane strategy. This Government strategy sets out that a capital grant programme and a renewable heat obligation scheme are the mechanisms to grow the market and develop the sector. The draft heads of bill for the renewable heat obligation were published in July. IrBEA on behalf of members calls on the Minister to immediately publish the long-term projections for the renewable heat obligation scheme in terms of the obligation rate beyond the initial two years. This is required for developers to secure finance and also offtake agreements. We also call for the Minister to confirm and publish the renewable heat obligation buyout rate as a matter of urgency. We urge that the notification goes to the Commission for additional multipliers for indigenous biomethane as quickly as possible and that the Government take steps to address the issues associated with non-EU-sourced liquid biofuels from untraceable and unsustainable sources to ensure that this fuel does not displace indigenous biogas or biomethane. We encourage this committee to push for transposition of the, REcovered Nitrogen from manURE, RENURE, proposal recently agreed in the EU nitrates committee. This agreement once implemented and transposed into law will allow for the use of RENURE fertilisers above the limit for the application of manure and processed manure set by the nitrates directive. This agreement will open the possibility for Irish farmers to replace chemical fertilisers with RENURE products. We also call for the publication of the grant funding programme and sector supports for the development of the sector. It is proposed that will be a number of measures in the exempted planning regulations impacting on the sector. We propose that the 1,000 cu. m capacity for slurry storage be increased to 2,500 cu. m and the 200 sq. m threshold be increased to 1,000 sq. m specifically for the storage of silage.

There are many benefits of anaerobic digestion, AD, such as energy security, decarbonisation, alternative farm enterprise and diversification, reduced emissions from agriculture, displacement of chemical fertiliser, enhanced biodiversity and development of the circular and bioeconomy. Decades of research on digestate show that it contains nutrients more available to the plant and less prone to leaching into natural water bodies. Biogas technology is an integral part of the circular bioeconomy, providing an efficient method of recycling food waste. Mr. Gildea will focus on farm-scale biogas - I will not go into the details - we ask the Government to put in place a €3 million to €4 million budget for a proposed capital scheme.

The association strongly encourages community engagement as a valuable asset to assist communities with proposed projects. We are a key stakeholder in that. I thank the committee for its time. We look forward to questions.