Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
147. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to expedite the implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy in order to make Ireland less dependent on imported fossil fuels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69071/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department co-published the National Biomethane Strategy, with the Department of Climate Energy and the Environment (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. The National Biomethane Strategy will play a key role in achieving that target.
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. Within the Strategy there are 25 key strategic actions and the Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by DCEE, was set up to oversee the implementation of these actions.
Some key deliverables have already been achieved under the Strategy, including the publication of the Sustainability Charter and the roll out and conclusion of my Department’s Biomethane Capital Grant Scheme. As part of that scheme approximately €19 million in funding was issued to 7 successful projects delivering an additional 620 GWh of indigenously produced biomethane per annum.
Another signification step in achieving the Climate Action Plan target and the objectives of the Strategy is the second round of grant funding secured by my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment. A fund of up to €200 million will be available from 2026 to 2030 under the National Development Plan.
The additional funding can build on the momentum generated from my Department’s Scheme and highlights the whole of Government commitment to the development of a sustainable biomethane sector in Ireland. The benefits of an indigenous biomethane sector go far beyond energy production and represent a clear opportunity for our farmers to diversify their incomes while also contributing to reducing agriculture-related greenhouse gas emissions.
