Dr. Ciara Beausang:

I thank the Deputy for his questions. The first question was about the route and ways in which biomethane will be used. As an environmental scientist, when I assess the technology, I come with a neutral perspective. I am not trying to prove what the policy direction should be one way or the other. I am assessing the technology in a neutral way and looking at what the data show. It is important to consider using biomethane in sectors which are hard to decarbonise, as has been outlined. Heat and transport are the routes that should be followed. One can consider the uptake in Europe compared with Ireland. In Europe, the main pathway for use of biogas was previously electricity generation. When I looked at that in my own research, it showed that as we further decarbonise the fuel mix in Ireland, the electricity pathway is less favourable for biogas. That would point to using biomethane to replace fossil gas. That is where I see biomethane fitting into the relevant sectors.

I considered other feedstocks in my research. I looked at other animal waste, such as poultry litter. Managing poultry litter sustainably is another option that showed good results. I also considered waste from the horticulture sector and diverting some to anaerobic digestion.

My focus and emphasis would be on grass silage, because it is the largest resource that has been identified. In terms of the percentage that it can produce for biomethane, it is the most readily available resource. It also presents a few risks. That is why the focus needs to be on producing it in a way that is sustainable, with minimal inorganic nitrogen fertiliser.