Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I am trying to get at the fact that there are a relatively small number of companies which are importing large volumes of biodiesel into Ireland to blend it with fuel that is sold at the pumps. I do not have a problem with the importation but I have an issue with the State subsidising it. As a result, we are not seeing the development of a biodiesel industry in Ireland.

Have any of the companies successful under this scheme built or intend to build bio-fuel production plants in Ireland? Does the Government plan to re-evaluate the project so as to encourage an Irish industry rather than subsiding imported biodiesel which is not environmentally friendly as it has to be transported across the Atlantic?

See this speech in context