Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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352. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the increased costs of renewable fuel energy; if they will reduce in price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12120/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The volatility in cost of fuel and energy prices is due to a range of external factors, including the war in Ukraine. Prices for oil, gas, including wood pellets and firewood has seen increases across Europe as result of supply and demand pressures.

As I have outlined before using wood for energy and wood pellets to heat homes is a sustainable alternative to using fossil based fuels. On the Island of Ireland, we have a number of suppliers manufacturing wood pellets and material is available in a number of outlets. I would also point out that Irelands forests are currently producing over 4 million cubic metres of roundwood each year and this supply will increase to over 6 million cubic metres by 2030. An increasing supply of biomass from this resource provides the raw material for the production of pellets and biomass for energy. My Department does not have any role in deciding on the price of pellets and it is determined by the markets.