I raise a similar issue relating to the high price of gas. The Minister will be aware the European Commission has identified Ireland and Denmark as the two countries best suited to the production of biomethane. The Commission also introduced the REPowerEU scheme, the first tranche of which was to fund countries to improve their biomethane sector. Italy drew down €4.8 billion, while Denmark already produces 25% of the gas it consumes as biomethane. I asked the Taoiseach last week a "Yes" or "No" question, namely, whether we had applied for that scheme. He ducked the question, as is his wont, and said I would receive an answer to my "Yes" or "No" question directly from the Minister's Department. I have not received it yet.

In the meantime, Caroline O'Doherty of the Irish Independent reported that we are spending €350 million on emergency generators. The last time I saw one of those was in a compound in Kabul after ten years of rule by the warlords in the Northern Alliance. Did the State apply for funding to improve our biomethane sector under the REPower EU scheme? It is "Yes" or "No".

I will have to come back on what specifically we said at the EU. I do not believe we did but I will have to check that is correct.

The Deputy's depiction of those generators as like something from Kabul of ten years ago is not accurate or correct. This is modern, new, highly efficient equipment-----

I am glad we are not buying second-hand ones from Afghanistan.

Will the Deputy let the Minister respond?

-----that is going to be needed as part of the solution.

Did the Minister say the generators are not going to be needed?

They are going to be needed. Second, biomethane is going to be part of our low-carbon transition. We agreed in the sectoral emission ceilings this summer that we would develop 5.8 TWh of biomethane, largely from the agricultural sector. This is proven technology. It is not-----

We forgot to apply for funding, however.

Deputy, let the Minister respond.

We are at first base in getting the mechanisms and policies in place to roll out that infrastructure. We have never been short of applying for European funding. We have been remarkably successful in drawing down funding in a range of tranches of European funding. I would not rule out further funding from Europe for this development. We will continue to work with the Commission.

And the Government will apply the next time.