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

In view of the dates I outlined in respect of the end of the PSO, I agree with the Deputy that it is time that we should begin to consider this matter. I cannot dispute what he says with regard to efficiency, emissions and so on. However, in addition to what I stated in my original answer, the PSO also applies in order to protect employment. Bord na Móna is a major employer in the midlands and it has 1,500 people on its books at present who are involved in harvesting. Last year Bord na Móna experienced its worst harvest since it was founded and only realised 37% of its target in this regard. As of Monday last, it had realised 100% - 4 million tonnes of peat - of its harvesting target for the current year.

Deputy Pringle is seeking to establish where we go from here. We have raised similar questions with the ESB. As I understand it, converting the plants in question to biomass would prove problematic in the case of two out of the three. The difficulties which arise relate to the age of the plants, the technology on site, adaptability etc. However, the matter is being examined.

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