Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I will put the Deputy's suggestion regarding an increased start-up grant to the officials in my Department. As he stated, when it comes to pellets, briquettes, whole-bale boilers, co-firing, and so on, the potential of miscanthus is significant. As with any new activity, however, a certain amount of lead-in time is required. The methods relating to growing miscanthus are not unlike those which obtain in respect of growing wheat. Given that it is not a food crop, however, growing it does not come naturally to those involved in farming who have grown food all their lives. That said, increasing numbers of farmers are considering growing miscanthus. We will take account of the Deputy's comments in carrying out our review.

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