asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his Department are carrying out any investigation into the possibility of methane gas production on farms; if so, if he will give particlars; and, if not, why
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Methane Gas.
14.
My Department do not directly conduct such investigations but I am aware that research and feasibility studies into the production of methane gas from slurry have been carried out by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards and by An Foras Talúntais. I understand that the capital costs are high in relation to the potential output of gas, but I will of course be keeping in close touch with the progress of continuing studies in this sphere, both here and in other countries.
I would like to point out that, because of its hazardous nature, it is dangerous for unskilled operators to undertake the production of methane gas.
Is it not true that the production of methane gas for domestic use on farms has been usual on certain German and continental farms for many decades?
Yes, I understand that is so.
Is it not therefore reasonable to assume that it should be an economic and feasible proposition here, especially in the context of present-day fuel problems?
I do not think it is automatically reasonable to assume that the cost structure of establishing a plant now would be economic because of the fact that it was so at other times and in other cost structure circumstances. The information available to me is that in the light of present costs it is only with large units that an economic scale is attainable.