Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

We could debate this subject for hours. Food crops have been the winner in the competition for land between food crops and energy crops. Has the Minister made representations to the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance in the build up to the budget to support energy crop production in Ireland, particularly on set aside land, on which farmers are not permitted to sow food crops anyway, as this would not impact on the food industry? If not, why not given the Minister promoted that thinking for a long time when in Opposition?

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