Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I will do whatever I can to ensure Irish farming benefits from biofuel supports rather than distant sources, without infringing world trade rules, which could result in Ireland being pulled up and a stop-start approach for the industry. My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has a key role in this regard. We must be innovative and, at the same time, careful. The energy White Paper sets out the best approach, which is to move towards an obligation system for fuel suppliers to carry a set biofuels quotient rather than a grant support system so that the oil supply companies, as opposed to the taxpayer, carry the cost. However, within that, support measures should be implemented so that Irish farming is provided with a positive and lucrative market in the long run. I would support that, while taking into account the general policy issues relating to global food prices, of which I must be cognisant.

See this speech in context