Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Mary Wallace yesterday opened the National Bioenergy conference in Tullamore.

Organised by Teagasc and the Irish Bioenergy Association, the conference theme is 'Bioenergy-Making it a sustainable reality'.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Wallace welcomed the emphasis of the conference of making bioenergy a sustainable reality with a particular focus on developing the supply chain from producer to end user.

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"Ultimately," the Minister said "the industry can only develop in Ireland if it is profitable for the raw material supplier, processors and investors alike."

The Minister referred to a package of Energy -Climate change measures being prepared by the EU Commission to enhance renewable energy and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. As part of this package Ireland is required by 2020 to obtain 16% of energy from renewable sources, ensure that biofuels make up 10% of transport fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.

"Many different sources of renewable energy will be required to help achieve these targets,” Ms Wallace said. “Bioenergy has an important role to play in meeting the challenges that lie ahead. It is a clean, renewable source of energy and with our abundant resources in Ireland we have great potential to produce bioenergy."

(VB/JM)