David Norris (Independent)

Good. I now come back to my old pals who have been briefing me - Green Biofuels. They are exploring ways to produce bio-fuel from algae and seaweed. They are following the lead of the transition year students in the Sacred Heart school in Clonakilty. They are involved in a research and development project into the use of algae and seaweed oils as raw materials for bio-fuel production. This will be considered as a third generation bio-fuel and they expect it to become commercially available in the next three to five years. They are also involved in research with a number of other institutions and, in addition, have secured funding for the Marie Curie industry-academia partnerships and pathways funding centre.

I welcome the fact that the Bill is being expanded to include algae and seaweeds. I will read the Minister's reply in the Official Report because I have to attend the meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs which is dealing with the Irish-registered ship, the Rachel Corrie, that is approaching the coast of Palestine.