Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is huge potential with biomass.

The changes to the Common Agricultural Policy introduced by Ray MacSharry have resulted in a major increase in afforestation, with sitka spruce the main species of tree used. The Drax power station in the United Kingdom imports this raw material from the United States. With proper research and development, it would be possible to deliver considerable added value in this area. Much of the timber coming on stream nationally is being sold as pulp and pellets at a low, albeit reasonable, return. We should target other uses for these resources. Given that they are being used differently in other parts of the world, why not use our commodity as biomass? Ireland is slightly behind the curve on this issue. Biomass is the way forward and we must challenge the system to seek to integrate the resources available to us.

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