Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Our information contradicts the Minister's information. We have seen that methane produced per head of cattle shows that global livestock emissions in 2011 were 11% higher than estimates based on data from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Therefore, the figures the Department has been working with need to be revised. At the very least, more robust containment and processing measures for manure need to be put in place. We know that, on a weight basis, manure in dry systems produces significantly less methane than in liquid systems. We also know that manure handled in anaerobic digesters has a dramatically lower methane conversion factor than that of the outdoor open slurry pit.

The Minister often talks of the dairy and beef industries being clean here. In fact, they are the most climate-destructive forms of food production. We need to pursue best practice around areas such as the management of the increase in manure management and connected emissions sources.

I note that in 2014 there were six anaerobic digestion plants in the Republic of Ireland and 26 in Northern Ireland. Can the Minister tell me how many are in the Republic of Ireland today? There are now 42 in Northern Ireland and those responsible secured approval for a further 103. Is Northern Ireland moving ahead of us in this regard? Does the Minister have number for the Republic of Ireland in 2017?

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