Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The matter to which Deputy Moynihan referred of the change from 10% to 5% on bio-fuels is not yet a decision of the European Union. He is correct that there is a proposal from the European Commission. The proposal, known as ILUC, indirect land use change, is being progressed by the Irish Presidency, jointly between myself and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan.

Deputy Moynihan is probably correct. It probably will ultimately get approval and will be the decision. He is also probably correct that it makes sense in that one would question whether land that is capable of producing, for example, other crops, ought to be tied up producing biomass. It also makes sense to ask how we can source the raw material for some biomass otherwise. That debate is ongoing. The NGOs, for example, have strong views on it. They have strong views about the implications for Third World development, etc. Even if there is no agreement at present between the various member states, it is likely to lead to a decision. Obviously, that must be taken into account by us. We are attempting to put together a bio-energy strategy and as I stated, the hope is that by the end of June we will be in a position to advertise that.

It is part of the programme for the Government that we would examine the possibility of the development of a bio-energy company in terms of the synergies that might exist between Bord na Móna and Coillte.

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