Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

Is the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, dealing with this matter? He is. It is not that I would not deal with the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, but I doubt very much that there would be much growing of miscanthus in Dún Laoghaire. I am glad to see what I might term a rural Minister of State present.

I recently met a group of approximately nine or ten farmers who approached me about a particular problem. They had set up what one might call a co-operative. There are five of them in Ireland based on groups of farmers who a few years ago undertook to grow what was then termed the revolutionary crop, miscanthus, commonly known as the elephant plant, which is used to produce biomass. They had obtained assurances that the ESB power plant in Lanesboro would take what their crop. They set about growing it and I understand received some grants from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Some were successful and grew satisfactorily in line with what had been expected. However, some have not been successful whether through erroneous advice being given with regard to sprays, the soil or the climate at the time of planting. The mystery has not been solved, but they had received start-up grants for the planting and growth of miscanthus. Perhaps it is the size of the bulb that is the problem, since they have to import them from the UK, as they are not available locally.

In any event, those concerned want their efforts to be regarded, I believe quite properly, as experimental. They regard themselves as a group of pioneers doing experimental work, which if eventually proven to be successful all-round, will be a major boost for the energy market in Ireland. We googled some material today which indicated that miscanthus and real energy was what was described as "just hot air", and it is a matter of whether it can be successfully conducted in its growth patterns and in its outcome.

I had a few words earlier today with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food while we were voting, and asked him whether the Department would view the grants given as part of the experimental process whereby when a whole new regime of planting is introduced, such as the revolutionary crop of miscanthus, the growers should be regarded as pioneers in that sphere, with the grant being treated as part of the learning curve for present or future growers throughout the country, if it catches on sufficiently.

The Minister asked me whether they wanted to give up or stay with the project. Each of those I met wants to stay with the growing of miscanthus. They believe the way forward is in the growing of the crop. Once it is established and growing properly, there is no tending involved, and it will recreate for up to 20 years with little caring or disturbance. Well done to those whose crops have grown, but those who were not successful should be exempted from repaying the grants vouched to them by the Department. Perhaps they can now press on with their efforts based on the lessons they have learned along the way in growing this experimental crop. I hope the Minister of State will have something to say to me and I thank the Acting Chairman for allowing me to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

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