Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Lowry for raising this important issue. I recognise the difficulty, stress and challenge posed by the recent decision for everyone involved. Having received the review conclusions, the company has begun a process of engagement with the group of unions and employees. It has also confirmed that no redundancies are being contemplated in the current year. That is an important point.

I note the Deputy's comments about my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Naughten. The Deputy accepts that the Minister is monitoring the situation closely and is acutely conscious of the decision's impact on Bord na Móna's employees. The Minister has urged Bord na Móna to consider all opportunities for redeployment, a phased reduction in employment numbers and any other renewable technology opportunity that may arise in respect of Bord na Móna investments.

As part of Bord na Móna's general strategy to move towards sustainable businesses based on renewable sources, pilot trials for the production of a biomass briquette have been conducted in the past 12 months. This is a significant investment by Bord na Móna, which has confirmed its plan to begin large-scale production of the briquette. It will soon seek planning and other approvals in that regard. This will be a critical step in future-proofing the fuels business, as it offers the potential of sustainable and quality regional employment.

The Minister held a series of meetings with the Bord na Móna group of unions and staff representatives as well as Tipperary's Deputies. He will continue with those discussions. He has called for engagement and imagination by all sides on devising a range of solutions and different outcomes for employees. I do not doubt that he will take on board the particular points that Deputy Lowry has raised, but Bord na Móna is a major employer across the middle of the country and is exploring new opportunities for growth, particularly in renewable energy. I hope that this will help the company not just keep current levels of employment, but grow it in a part of the country where, although there have been some successes, attracting foreign direct investment has traditionally been challenging.

The Minister will bring a memo to the Government soon on establishing a new semi-State entity, BioEnergy Ireland, which will focus on the development of the biomass sector and exploit those skills currently available to Bord na Móna and Coillte.

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