Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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892. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc has carried out research and evaluations on the advantages and disadvantages on the use of anaerobic and biogas systems to Ireland for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; if so, if he will provide the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25411/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Teagasc considered bioenergy production including anaerobic digestion and biogas as part of its MACC report published in 2018 (see link below).

There is currently research underway in Teagasc to optimise the biomass production for feed stocks that meet the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive. In addition, Teagasc, in collaboration with NUI Galway, are also carrying out collaborative research investigating the optimisation of the digestion process to increase gas yields per unit of feedstock, to further improve the economic viability of biogas production.

www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/An-Analysis-of-Abatement-Potential-of-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-in-Irish-Agriculture-2021-2030.pdf.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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893. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is actively considering anaerobic and biogas systems as a means by which Ireland can meet its EU Nitrates Directive and EU Water Framework Directive obligations in view of the impact they have in addressing both nitrate emissions and environmental impact on watercourses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25412/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department recognises the potential environmental benefits of using Anaernobic Digestion (AD), including climate mitigation, water quality and air quality.

The AD industry in Ireland is at an early stage of development compared to the more established industry in many European countries. Potential for the growth of the AD sector in Ireland is strong but it should be seen as a long term development. Research suggests that there is potential for a significant role for biogas / bio-methane in the decarbonisation of the heat and transport sectors with corresponding climate benefits.

The Nitrates Directive is one of the 11 key Directives encompassed by the Water Framework Directive and is the main agricultural measure included in River Basin Management Plan. Ireland operates the EU Nitrates Directive on a whole territory basis through the implementation of the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) or Nitrates Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 605 of 2017). The GAP Regulations provide a considerable environmental baseline which all Irish farmers must achieve and by doing this, Irish farmers are contributing to the sector’s WFD obligations regarding the protection of water quality. The Department of Housing, Planning and Heritage is the lead authority for these regulations with a major role played by DAFM.

The current Nitrates Action Programme is in place to the end of 2021. Ireland will commence shortly a preliminary consultation to review the next Nitrates Action Programme. It is planned to undertake a final consultation with all stakeholders in 2021. The outcome of the review will have to be agreed at a national level and be presented to the EU Commission for approval. The next NAP is anticipated for implementation in January 2022. The review of the NAP will have to consider wider strategic policies such as the Green Deal, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies and the bio-circular economy.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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894. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of anaerobic and biogas systems are currently in operation by sector, that is, pork, dairy, poultry, organic and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25413/20]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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895. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if projections have been made on the number of anaerobic and biogas systems that will be developed over the next five to ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25414/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 894 and 895 together.

Indigenous renewable energy plays a vital role in our domestic fuel mix and will become even more important in the context of reducing our reliance on imported fuels and in meeting our challenging renewable energy targets for 2020 and 2030 and decarbonising our energy systems by 2050.

My Department is committed to working closely with the Department for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, which is the lead Department in this area, to ensure that the supply of domestic fuels available in the forest and agriculture sectors are mobilised to support energy generation from a range of bioenergy technologies including Anaerobic Digestion.

My Department has a key regulatory role to play when an operator is using animal-by-products as feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion and currently there are 12 Biogas Plants approved to operate using this material as a feed stock. A further two plants are at an advanced stage in the approval process, one plant is at the early stages of the planning process and my officials are dealing with a number of preliminary enquiries.

The approval to operate an anaerobic digestion plant under the EU Animal By-Products Regulations is not specific to any particular sector as most of the plants use a range of animal by products and non-animal by products for feedstock including poultry litter and other manure from farmed animals, former food stuffs including milk cheese and other foods of animal origin.