Does the Minister agree that if we are to persevere with the growing of biomass as an alternative energy source the solid fuel burning generating stations should be retained to enable this to be tried out and to monitor its efficiency? Does he realise that the decision of the ESB to close these stations in Portarlington and Allenwood will deprive us of that opportunity?

There is another question to another Minister.

Am I to understand that the Minister does not wish to reply to that question?

I suggested that there is another question.

With respect, we are dealing with a project to burn trees to make electricity. I am saying we need somewhere to burn them. If the present attitude of the ESB is continued we will have nowhere to burn them. The Minister for Energy has a duty to answer the question which I put to him in all good faith.

The questions relate to energy crops. As I said in my reply, there are at present two projects under way, both with the object of testing the economic practicality of short rotation forestry for energy purposes. I indicated in my reply that to date the results have been disappointing. I must explain to the House that we are in the experimental stage only with regard to biomass production. Until such time as the results of these projects are fully assessed and their economic viability from an energy point of view fully understood, I cannot explain their relevance to the power stations.