Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
186. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the development of a national biomethane strategy; the expected timeline for statutory consultation and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15318/23]
View answer187. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Heat and Built Environment Delivery Task Force, under which auspices a biomethane working group will be tasked with developing Ireland’s national biomethane strategy, has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15319/23]
View answer188. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made to date regarding the establishment of a biomethane working group, which was as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15320/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 187 and 188 together.
The Heat and Built Environment Taskforce has been established to accelerate and drive delivery in respect of retrofitting, renewable heat, district heat, decarbonisation and overall energy use needs of the building stock. The overarching aim of the Taskforce is to: identify work on the critical paths to key targets under each area; ensure alignment in the development of polices and activities underway across Government Departments; and, proactively manage risks to ensure targets are achieved.
Membership of the Taskforce aligns with the initial allocation of Ministerial responsibilities for the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings, as agreed by Government. The Taskforce, which has met twice to date and is scheduled to meet again before the end of the month, is supported by other groups established to examine specific aspects of its remit, including a Working Group to develop a National Biomethane Strategy.
Chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Biomethane Working Group has been established and held its a first meeting on the 1st March 2023. The Group intends to meet monthly and will oversee an all-of-government approach to developing the Strategy, which aims to deliver up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030.
Development of an anaerobic digestion industry is at a nascent stage in Ireland and a primary focus of the Working Group will be the examination of the types of supports necessary to develop this industry. The Group will also carry out extensive analysis on the best end use of the 5.7TWh target, paying particular focus to producing biomethane in a sustainable manner.
CAP 2023 has committed to delivering the National Biomethane Strategy by Q3 2023 and the Working Group is currently developing a high-level action plan, which will include extensive stakeholder engagement activities.
