Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
618. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding his Department's input into the regulatory framework governing the biomethane sector in Ireland; to outline the actions his Department is responsible for within that framework; and to provide an update on its progress. [68685/26]
View answerWhile overall national energy policy formation is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), my Department works closely with DCEE on energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, together with a wide range of industry and other stakeholders.
My Department co-published the National Biomethane Strategy with DCEE in May 2024. The Irish Government is committed to supporting delivery of up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030, as set out in the National Climate Action Plan. A first key step to delivering on this ambitious target was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy.
The Strategy sets out the necessary policy and regulatory measures, for Ireland to develop a sustainable biomethane sector and a roadmap to achieve the Climate Action Plan targets. The Strategy contains 25 key strategic actions and the Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by DCEE, was set up to oversee the implementation of these actions.
Of the 25 actions, my Department is responsible for 7, ranging from research on feedstock and digestate to funding for infrastructure. The National Biomethane Strategy 2025 Annual Progress Report is available here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/63d67ef8/Irelands_National_Biomethane_Strategy_-_Action_Progress_Report.pdf, which covers all actions in the Strategy and gives significant detail on the actions assigned to my Department. My Department is currently working with DCEE on the 2026 progress report, which is due for publication later this year. A key action in the Strategy for my Department was the delivery of the first Biomethane Capital Grant scheme. This scheme has now concluded with approximately €19 million in funding issued to 7 projects producing an additional 620GWh of biomethane per annum. My Department continues to engage with DCEE in contributing to the development of the second Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme, which DCEE expect to launch later this year.
