Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I commend my Fine Gael colleagues for bringing this Bill before the House. Climate change is a major problem facing the world but we have not been serious about addressing it. The recent rise in the cost of crude oil, petrol and diesel on the world market and increased costs here brought home to many people the real difficulties facing them on a daily basis in that regard. It stemmed the debate on the potential of biofuel, the cost and so on but the closure of the sugar beet industry late last year reignited the debate and brought home to many people, particularly those living in rural areas who are dependent on the land, the changes taking place and the whole issue of alternative farming. There is a real lack of leadership in that regard. Deputy Connaughton touched on that aspect when he spoke about the lack of research in this area.

There is a crying need among farmers, be they big or small, to stay on the land and make a living on it. The potential for growing alternative crops that could produce energy was never more wanting. I have never had as many people coming to clinics or meetings inquiring about the possibility of growing alternative crops. However, when a farmer tries to size up the possibility of growing some of those crops, the obstacles one can come across are amazing. For example, people involved in the rural environment protection scheme cannot grow alternative crops while claiming the REPS grant. It is a disgrace that people who went out of their way to get involved in a rural environment protection scheme and have been compliant with it cannot use some of their land to grow alternative crops. That is one example I can give the Minister. There are many other examples of issues that are prohibiting people from getting involved in the growing of alternative crops.

The Government is keeping this issue at bay. People have a decision to make about their future but it is also about the future of rural Ireland and the alternatives that could be available in rural Ireland. A sea change is happening in agriculture and there is potential for an alternative industry, but we are not grappling with it or offering people the alternative they deserve.

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