Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, 80% of the biomass used in Edenderry in 2017 was from indigenous sources. The objective is that the biomass in Edenderry, Lanesborough and Shannonbridge will be from indigenous sources. The supplier of the biomass to those three plants, and one of the major suppliers in the country in relation to the support scheme for renewable heat, will be Bord na Móna BioEnergy, which is a joint venture between Bord na Móna and Coillte.

To clarify, willow will not grow on marginal land so as to provide any type of yield. Deputy Durkan will confirm that for me. He is a far greater expert on the subject than I am. Willow will only grow on arable land. We have a lot of land that was traditionally used for beet plants not just in Thurles, but also in Tuam, that could supply biomass.

The most successful crop to date for planting on marginal land seems to be eucalyptus. That is being piloted on marginal land by Bord na Móna at the moment. Sustainability is one of the conditions in Lanesborough, Shannonbridge and Edenderry, and in the support scheme for renewable heat and for Bord na Móna BioEnergy, and every possible tonne of cuttings and biomass that is available in Ireland is to be utilised before we would consider any imports.

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