Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's argument is a compelling one, but the other aspect of this debate that we must understand is that biomass, unlike wind, is a scarce resource. We published a bioenergy plan some time ago. Perhaps the Deputy might read it. The view is that biomass is more likely to have a significant role in the heat and transport sectors as opposed to the areas the Deputy is advocating. I am willing to have this debate, but it should be based on facts and evidence. I respect and understand people's concerns about wind energy, particularly turbines, but we must also recognise that we have targets to achieve by 2020. If we pull back from one route, we must take another. Wind has proven to be the most accessible and cheapest form of renewable energy in the State so far, but if we can come up with an alternative, let us debate it together and see how we manage.

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