Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the short time available, I wish to summarise where Bord na Móna has come from, where it is at and where it is going, and specifically thereafter to make request of the Government as a result of ongoing changes.

Bord na Móna's remit and role as set down by the Government back in the 1940s was to create sustainable jobs and deliver local affordable sources of energy. It was gifted lands by many landowners who could not before that derive a livelihood or make a contribution to their communities' well-being. Bord na Móna delivered well on that remit. It built communities with their power plants on various bogs, engineering works, shops, briquette factories, horticultural products, waste management industries and the leasing of bogs and plots to many members of various communities, and ensured those regions' success. That newfound atmosphere of pride and wealth generation ensured that following generations had greater education choices and were enriched by culture and sport as their communities, villages and towns grew over the past 80 years.

The transition necessitated by climate change and decarbonisation sees a massive ongoing transition of 125,000 acres. I do not doubt the merits of the rewetting programme or the commercial acumen of investment in renewable power generation projects by Bord na Móna. Whether it is inland, offshore involving joint ventures or solar-based projects, all based on good planning practice, it can, is and will reap a reward for the State both commercially and in its efforts to address the unfortunate glaring energy deficiencies we have today.

I note the commitment of Bord na Móna to Edenderry Power to ensure that its role is continued by virtue of a €90 million investment. I welcome the 650 MW gas plant at Derrygreenagh. I am closely monitoring progress on the proposed energy park encompassing 3,000 ha of land in counties Offaly, Westmeath and Meath, where zero-carbon energy generation assets will locate with industrial-scale, high-demand energy users, such as data centres and storage facilities. I am aware of the impending cessation of operations at the briquette factory in Derrinlough, which is the last original core activity. I am conscious of the ongoing talks between management and unions to ensure relocation and training options are agreed. That makes now the opportune time for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to provide new grant aid for new windows and doors, together with boiler alterations, to accommodate hydrotreated vegetable oil and biogas fuels, ensuring a 50% reduction in emissions and a contribution by those households that otherwise would not have this.

As already stated, in the 1940s, landowners made lands available for the greater good of communities in the region. There is now a brilliant opportunity for Bord na Móna and the State to reciprocate and return that favour to communities. Community energy projects should not be confined to a 5 MW cap. The EU directive to be transposed into Irish law relating to community projects clearly states that such projects can compete on a level playing pitch with commercial projects. I am aware, for example, of a community development association in Ferbane which, in conjunction with the local council, expert ecologists and relevant engineering experts, has identified an area of land in the ownership of Bord na Móna which has access to relevant infrastructure which could generate, based on it partnering with the commercial sector, a return of €400,000 per annum to the respective community. This can and must be pursued and replicated at other locations.

I call on the Minister and Government to put in place a task force that can specifically recommend changes to the relevant legislation or the semi-State remit or terms of reference that may exist within the likes of Bord na Móna in order to ensure that such potential can be realised and bring communities together and make sure that they can participate in a demand-led drive towards energy provision that is lacking at present. We cannot wait, despite the good intentions and goodwill, and notwithstanding the work that has been done by Bord na Móna in that regard. There are lands that should be made available to the wider community and the commercial sector to allow them to be in a position to come out of this decarbonisation process far better than when they went into it.

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