Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Ireland has a real opportunity to grow an industry that will help us to cut our carbon emissions and also provide new income streams for farmers and across rural areas. Biomethane can replace diesel and other fossil fuels in transport and industry, allowing us to cut those emissions. As we know, we have a significant supply of agricultural waste and silage which can be converted into biomethane, benefiting rural economies. We need to support this sector. There is a need for capital funding to support the development of anaerobic digestion facilities. The Minister mentioned a small amount there. His predecessor had proposed that €300 million from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund would be reserved specifically for this area to give real certainty to those considering investing in biomethane facilities. The Minister's party and Fine Gael blocked that at the end of the last Government; what is done is done. In his new role, will the Minister commit to fighting for at least €300 million to provide the capital to develop those essential anaerobic digestion facilities, so that we can cut our emissions and provide more income streams in rural areas?

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