Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right. The ambition underlying the Paris agreement calls for considerable change across the world, including Ireland. We have made decisions and are required to make more to ensure we can credibly decarbonise the economy, which is the objective. The issue of community energy co-operatives will be addressed in the White Paper. I agree with the Deputy that there is enormous potential in that regard. I again agree with him on the need for co-operation between semi-State bodies. He will be aware of the establishment of Bionergy Ireland, a key action in the draft bioenergy plan. Coillte is under the aegis of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. While I do not have any role in its governance, a steering group that includes representatives of the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Agriculture, Food and the Marine, newERA and my Department is working on the Bionenergy Ireland plan which, as the Deputy is aware, involves Coillte and Bord na Móna. I am sure there will be other initiatives also.

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