asked the Minister for Energy if he is aware of recent American claims that soya bean oil is being successfully mixed with diesel fuel; and whether there is any similar potential for extracts from any Irish grown crops.

: Soya bean oil is being experimentally mixed with diesel oil in the USA, but not, so far as is known, on a proven commercial scale. It is likely that competing uses for soya bean oil would make it uneconomic as a fuel extender.

The most likely sources of oil from crops grown in Ireland are from oil-seed rape or flax. However, oils from these sources have other uses, for example linseed oil is used in paints. Oil-seed rape is used in animal feed and is supported by the common agriculture policy. The use of these oils as a fuel extender would not be economic at present price levels.

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