Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

Third, Fine Gael says it will "consider" a complete separation of the ESB from the national grid. The Government is not only considering this but the process is under way with a view to total separation by 1 July 2006. Fine Gael wishes to provide a "community dividend" to act as compensation for those living close to important infrastructure projects but it is clearly unaware that an initiative of this nature is being incorporated into the strategic infrastructure Bill. Fine Gael states it will prioritise the creation of a network of turbines to harness the potential of wind energy. Such a network is developing through the AER programme and the more recent REFIT programme.

The party will single-handedly reform the energy crops scheme, notwithstanding that this is an EU scheme and that reforms can only be carried out at EU level. The Government by comparison is actively engaging with the Commission on this issue. Likewise, Fine Gael says it will consider whether sugar beet should be included under the scheme. I hate to disappoint the party but the Commission has decided that sugar beet will be eligible for aid under the scheme and may be grown as an energy crop on set aside land to activate payments under the single farm payment scheme.

We can do more to exploit the potential of energy crops based on existing land use patterns. Oilseed rape can be used to produce pure plant oil for use in modified diesel engines and biodiesel for use in diesel engines without modification. Traditionally, the crop was grown in Ireland as a break crop to prevent disease caused by continuous wheat and to improve yields in the following year's cereal crops. Production of oilseed rape is relatively small. In 2005, 3,800 hectares was sown with oilseed rape. Irish farmers can achieve satisfactory yields of oilseed rape and many cereal growers could produce it with their existing complement of farm machinery. The total amount of oilseed rape that can be grown is limited by the need to keep successive crops at least four years apart in a cereal rotation and to keep a two-year interval with beet. This and other factors would reduce the potential area for oilseed rape to approximately 30,000 hectares. This does not take account of the 30,000 hectares previously sown with sugar beet, some of which could be used for oilseeds.

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