We need real plans to boost biofuel, not just hot air from the Greens

REPORTS on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from Cancun, Mexico quote Green Minister Ciaran Cuffe as follows “The Cancún agreements will save the UNFCCC process... but saving the planet will still take some time — and we unfortunately do not have time on our side.”

He also said Ireland was playing its part by contributing €23 million this year to an EU fund for vulnerable developing countries.

Mr Cuffe also promised last Thursday that the Government’s Climate Change Bill would be published before Christmas.

I among others have lobbied hard for the potential of Irish grown rape seed oil as a fuel for trucks with the potential of employment, reduction of carbon emissions, soil improvement, enhanced protection of our rivers and streams, carrying of our exports abroad with a “green” fuel and all to no avail. The very limited schemes introduced by Minister Noel Dempsey were rescinded by Minister Eamon Ryan on the promise of something better.

Is this it? Our minister prancing on a stage in Mexico and giving away €23 million of our borrowed money to save the world as our green isle sinks beneath the economic waves? That €23 million of our borrowed money would have been enough to allow Irish farmers to produce at least 50 million litres of rape seed oil, enough to power more than a thousand long distance trucks for one year, instead it will go as one learned commentator has said “into the maws of consultants” and won’t make one whit of a change.

In the meantime, those of us who invested heavily in the interests of Ireland and its environment as a result of the Dempsey initiatives now see this equipment rusting while the Greens fly to Cancun to save the world.

The sooner Minister Cuffe is out of office and someone else takes his place the quicker we can get on with trying to save Ireland, then having done that we can give both example and leadership to the world in the very important area of self-sufficiency, aided by homegrown biofuel.

Jerry Kiersey

Blessington

Co Wicklow