Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Some research is being done at Oak Park and a number of other locations but it is only beginning. If the Minister pays the piper, the tune will be called.

When 2,500 eminent scientists throughout the world say we have a problem with climate change, we must take it seriously. If it turns out that, because of the way the Government decided to kick-start this process and encourage the growing of alternative crops, it got out of hand, there would be no problem putting a ceiling on it through taxation but the Minister did not provide for such a position. The proposal before the House is simple and doable, and I believe the public will react favourably to it. There is no magic in the concept of blending. We would have the biofuels suitable to do this provided we convince farmers to grow the crops.

Another aspect worth mentioning is the proposed removal of excise duty on biofuel. Many young people tell me they want to build their houses and use the wood pellet system to heat them. I tell them they will have no trouble getting the grant to put in the burner, which was a good move by the Government, but I then ask them from where they will get the wood pellets because wood pellets for a house in Ballinasloe might have to come from County Tyrone, Kildare or elsewhere. If someone's fire has gone out and they are waiting on the supplier to cross the country with a supply of wood pellets, they can be assured they would have a great deal of trouble in that regard.

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