Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
527. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can provide a timeline on when the national biomethane strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10478/24]
View answerAt the end of January, I launched a public consultation to guide the development of the National Biomethane Strategy with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan T.D.
There has been a considerable response to the consultation and the closing date for submissions has been extended to 5 March 2024.
In Ireland, the development of a biomethane industry is at a nascent stage of development but there is significant potential. Biomethane has the potential to displace fossil gas in many hard-to-decarbonise sectors and will play a significant role in enabling our transition to a net-zero economy, while also playing a significant role in the decarbonisation of Ireland’s agriculture sector.
The public consultation on the draft National Biomethane Strategy builds on extensive analysis and engagement already undertaken. Discussions were held with circa sixty consultees across thirty-six groups to hear their expert views on the development of a biomethane industry in Ireland. These stakeholder consultee meetings informed the initial draft strategy. The views collated through the public consultation is important to capture the views from interested parties on the proposals and recommendations outlined, in order to fully inform the final design of the strategy.
It is my expectation that the Strategy will be ready for consideration by Government by early Q2 2024.
