Ollie Wilkinson (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have a chance to speak on this important subject. The increase in oil prices a year or more ago focused our minds on the importance of considering alternative sources of energy. When I was growing up I never heard anything about global warming or the ozone layer. Modern communications make it possible to see at first hand what global warming is doing to our planet. While we are only a speck on that planet it is important that we pull our weight. Although I welcome Fine Gael's belated interest in alternative energy I commend the Government and the relevant Ministers on their actions and the incentives they have given to provide bio-fuel.

Following the loss of the sugar beet crop it is important that farmers have other crops to work their land. Sugar beet was a major loss. It paid so much better than other crops that it is not easy to find a replacement. The various crops suggested here and the incentives provided by the Government will go a long way to achieving that. The provision of feed from some of the crops grown is important and the cost of, and price for, grain are rising rapidly. Grain too can be used as a bio-fuel. When sugar beet was removed we were told that crude oil would have to reach $100 a barrel to make fuel from beet a viable option. Since then the cost of crude oil has dropped and there may be times when our focus slips. This, however, is a long-term issue and we must focus seriously on providing bio-fuel.

In 1970 or so there were little more than 500,000 cars on our roads, today there are 2.2 million and their emissions contribute to what is happening, although we are only a speck on the planet. The interest in bio-fuels provides the opportunity to explore alternative land use possibilities following the recent CAP reform and changes to the sugar regime. Excise duty relief for bio-fuels will be extended from €20 million in 2006 to €35 million in 2007 and €50 million in 2008, 2009 and 2010. This relief when fully operational is expected to support the use and production of some 160 million litres of bio-fuel per annum, some 20 times the current level of excise relief. These are fabulous figures which show the total long-term commitment of this Government to the provision and production of bio-fuel.

There are many other energy sources to be considered, especially wind energy. While wind farms are controversial in some areas, An Bord Pleanála's lack of consistency in some cases is to be deplored. It is vitally important that planning regulations for the provision of wind energy be reconsidered. Wind farms are widely visible in some parts of the country whereas in others permission for them has been refused because they would be in scenic areas. That has happened in County Waterford. It is difficult to understand how when the Government is pushing alternative energy, as it needs to do, an inspector from An Bord Pleanála can consent to a planning application but when it goes back to the board it is refused. There should be some consistency in this process.

I am delighted the Government has progressed bio-fuel development. I look forward to seeing farmers and everybody else benefit from that development.

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