Call for more state agencies to take the lead in use of Irish biofuel

STATE agencies such as Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann should take a lead in the use of Irish biofuel, says Tom Bruton, chairman of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA).

Industry experts called upon the Government to encourage usage of biofuel by state agencies as far back as April at Teagasc’s Bioenergy Conference in Tullamore, Co Offaly. It noted at the time seven biofuel companies had been “mothballed”. No action has yet been taken by the state to support this ailing industry.

Four of those companies are biodiesel producers. Among those forced out of business are Glanbia’s Eilish Oils, Biogreen, Kilkenny Cereals, Michael Bennett, Eco-Ola, Greyhound Recycling and Ecofuels.