Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning. I want to speak on an issue of urgency and strategic importance, not just for our national climate goals but for rural communities across the country, particularly in my own county of Cork. In north-west Cork there is currently potential for the development of a biomethane plant in Kilvoultra, a rural community just outside Macroom. There is a clear and pressing need for the Minister for the environment to provide a firm commitment to publish national guidelines on the locations of biomethane plants, as part of the national biomethane strategy. Biomethane has enormous potential to be a cornerstone of Ireland's transition to a low-carbon economy. It is a renewable, home-grown energy source that helps us to cut greenhouse gas emissions and provides a productive for farm and food waste. Nowhere is this opportunity more relevant that in counties like Cork, with a strong and diverse agricultural sector, where farmers are looking for sustainable ways to future-proof their livelihoods.As well as energy potential, there is potential for the use of the digestate as an organic fertiliser, which would be an alternative to mineral fertiliser use. This is an opportunity for our rural economy, environment and energy security but only if done correctly. Being done correctly has to be the guiding principle. There is no national guidance as to where biomethane plants should be located. This is leading to confusion, frustration and legitimate concern, particularly from communities living near proposed sites, many of which believe they are being left in the dark, particularly when consultation is at best lacking and at worst non-existent. We have already seen this tension emerge in Cork. In some areas, proposed locations have raised serious questions about road access, residential proximity and environmental impact. People are understandably worried about increased heavy traffic on rural roads that were never designed for such loads and about plants being sited far too close to homes. Regarding the proposal I mentioned in Kilvoultra, 200 residents are living within a 2-km radius of the proposed site.

The reality is that our local authorities are doing their best but county development plans vary significantly across the country when it comes to the location of biomethane plants. Cork County Council may take a more cautious or supportive approach than councils elsewhere but without national guidelines, there is a lack of consistency and co-ordination that risks undermining community confidence and industry investment. We cannot have a piecemeal approach. I am, therefore, calling on the Minister to urgently publish comprehensive national guidelines on the location of biomethane plants that consider proximity to homes, road and infrastructure capacity, environmental sustainability and alignment with local development plans. These guidelines must also reflect the needs and perspective of rural counties like Cork where there is significant potential for biomethane and biogas but also a need for balance, fairness and proper planning. If we want to unlock the potential of biomethane for our farmers, protect our communities and deliver on our climate commitments, we must give local authorities, developers and residents the clarity and guidance they need to move forward. We need to provide a clear national framework as to where these plants can and cannot be located and we need to get this right. It is vital for rural Ireland and for our shared environmental future.