Before any decision is made on the future of the power plants themselves we must fully evaluate the possibility & potential of operating our current peat powered plants with 100% biomass.

If the plants were supplied by 100% local biomass crops which facilitated a move away from beef production; it would reduce agricultural emissions by 600k tonnes of carbon each year (130k cars); generating €372/ha with a carbon price of €80/tonne; create 4000 seasonal jobs in harvesting; and provide a guaranteed income for local farmers.

The last thing that we need is a replication of the short-sighted decision to decommission sugar beet processing facilities in Carlow and Mallow which has led to a situation where the vast majority of biofuel used for transport in Ireland is imported.

see full debate….