Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Thank you. I just would have been concerned if that was the case.

Solar panel farms have been brought to the Minister's attention. I am not sure of the economics of it, but I know the Minister's Department is examining it. The Minister might tell us if there is an actual policy in place or if the Department is researching it. There areas of cutaway bogs belonging to Bord na Móna that I believe would be ideal locations for that type of solar panel farm. I have reservations about using solar panel farms on land that could be used for agricultural purposes. One cannot farm underneath the panels as they are raised from the ground. I ask the Minister to look at that situation afresh on the basis that there is quite a growth in companies trying to contact him. I know he has been lobbied quite extensively about this. I would like to hear the views of the Department on the benefits of solar panels. For instance, there are obviously going to be major solar farms in the Sahara. That is obvious. However, in our climate, I wonder if it can be economically viable to have that type of farm, as it would require a grant and support aid as well.

As far as Fianna Fáil is concerned, we fully support and have a strong record in government of introducing progressive measures to tackle climate change. It is the greatest single threat to the future of our children and grandchildren. By contrast, the outgoing Government repeatedly ducked and dived on tackling climate change. Its policies lacked strategic vision and have fundamentally failed. That is why I welcome the appoint of Deputy Naughten as the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. I believe he has a real feeling for the task ahead and there is a change of emphasis in this regard.

Agricultural production has been accused of providing gases which are affecting the environment. Those gases have always been there. There is nothing new coming from cows in that regard. We are doing our utmost in plantation. Planting trees and the encouragement of it comes under the Minister's Department as well. It is a great support. When we were in government for a period with the Green Party, we became greened in that particular period from 2007 to 2011.