Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)

I rise to speak on biomethane facilities and their development throughout the country. It is an issue that has become incredibly prominent and problematic in recent months. I appreciate that the national biomethane strategy was published last year. It contains 25 key strategic actions to address the challenges and opportunities of anaerobic digestion and biomethane production. However, these guidelines completely fail to address the issue of the planning and location of these biomethane facilities. It is becoming more and more prominent across the country. In Kilboultragh, which is an area just outside of my home town of Macroom in Cork North-West, there is a proposal to convert a former piggery to a biomethane facility. Residents of the area believe that this is completely inappropriate. It will be located within 2 km of 200 residents. The roads are not up to scratch for the HGVs and other vehicles that will be attending this property. It is something that needs to be addressed. At the moment, planning guidelines in this regard vary from local authority to local authority. This quite simply is not good enough. While biomethane production does produce many opportunities for us, it is important that facilities are strategically and properly placed. For that reason, I am calling on the Minister for climate, environment and communications to come to the Seanad to discuss the matter of planning in respect of biomethane facilities.