Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

That is a useful suggestion. The answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes". The last Government introduced an anaerobic digester grant aid scheme for which farmers could apply. Just two of the ten applications that were made have actually progressed. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is actively considering how it can encourage and support the development of anaerobic digesters in Ireland. I think it needs to be done at district level. We need to ensure that multiple feedstuffs - not just farm slurry, belly grass from beef factories or waste from dairy processing - go into the anaerobic digester. We have worked on this with Professor Jerry Murphy of University College Cork, who is Ireland's leading expert on anaerobic digestion, and we will continue to do so. I hope to introduce new initiatives by the end of the year to support anaerobic digestion, particularly at quite a large-scale district level. There are economies of scale that can be achieved to help anaerobic digestion to be financially viable.

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