John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

While I would be slow to suggest regulation, I ask the Leader to write to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food because a pressing need has arisen in respect of bio-fuels, requesting that the food part of the bio-fuel crop should be preserved and that the plant extract should be used for bio-fuel. Ireland produces absolute surpluses, as do other countries, such as America, where 30% of its productive area is being used for bio-fuels at present to produce 3% of its energy needs. At a time of world food shortages and high commodity prices in food, it is time to regulate the area in order that the food component of the bio-fuel crop is preserved and the plant extract is used for bio-fuels. This is a simple request on which Ireland could lead the world as a food-producing nation.