Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Geiss for attending. I am sorry more committee members are not present; they should be. We can learn a great deal from each other at a conference such as this. I agree with Deputy Moynihan that we need to examine the impact of renewable energy projects on communities not only in Ireland, but in every European nation. Sometimes a good project can be lost because the benefits are too distant and are not obvious to the host communities. Perhaps we need to consider something that may be even contrary to wider European principles and legislation. We need to examine the benefits for host nations and host communities of renewables. Renewable energy is important and we need to consider the investment in this as distinct from finite fossil fuels. I would like information to be available at this conference on such issues or there should at least be an exchange of views.