Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

I appreciate that this is not the Minister of State's brief. The opportunity for energy independence cannot be something we let go. I have some feedback. A leading industry body has warned that biomethane production in Ireland must be incentivised and supported ahead of cheaper imported biomethane. The current Government target for indigenous production of biomethane is 5.7 TWh each year but the Irish Bioenergy Association has highlighted that there is a need to urgently address the fundamental issue of fraudulent activity in the non-EU bio-liquid supply chain. This is something we need to be aware of.

The Minister of State obviously will not know this, but since I came to the Chamber, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon, has announced a €10 million fund for projects under the bioeconomy demonstration initiative as part of the just transition. I hope that solutions will materialise as the day goes on.