Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is down there. Apart from the main argument, the other argument which needs to be examined includes carbon dioxide capture. Methane is 25 times stronger and more damaging than carbon dioxide. This plant can capture the carbon dioxide and it can be reused. We will save ourselves emissions costs and save ourselves paying for some of the carbon emissions trading units which the Government has had to include in the last two budgets. The plant also produces a product for livestock which has a ready market in farms all over Ireland.

The other counter-argument is to do with the price of wheat and this argument does not stand up to serious examination. As it stands, wheat prices would have to become 30%, 40% or 50% more expensive in order to make it unviable for this plant in Belview to deal with Irish-produced wheat.

Ireland grows winter wheat which is not common in most other European countries. It grows longer and has a higher level of yield. These are issues which I ask the Minister of State to consider so he can make our arguments to people who suggest a different argument to him. It is completely in line with Government policy and ticks the box in terms of energy security, job creation and an immediate improvement in the construction sector. Crucially, it will also mean that tax will be paid in Ireland.