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

In the midst of the complexity, there is a certain simplicity. If one works on the basis that the Government and society should make it easier for people to do the right thing, then people should be able to travel more cheaply by using alternative fuels than they can by using oil. We are discussing putting in place infrastructure that makes it easy for people, companies and organisations to do the right thing.

If someone seeks planning permission for a filling station, do our planning regulations require an alternative fuel point? If not, why? This is a simple matter. If I seek planning permission for a house, the size of my door and the house's distance from the road will be specified, yet our planning permission for filling stations does not require them to be ready for the next decade of travel, never mind the next century. We need to get on top of these simple matters.

Although the next issue I wish to raise is not within the Department's brief, it must be handled by someone. I spoke with a number of people who have alternative energy sources. One had an anaerobic digestion system. When seeking a connection to the nation grid, the quote received effectively made the project unsustainable. It was €250,000, €500,000 or something like that. That is outrageous.

As we are considering high-profile interconnectors and major infrastructural products, we have taken our eyes from small projects that can be done. We must make it easier for people to do the right thing. The people coming up with realistic alternative energy sources should find it easier to get on the national grid. Is that within the brief of the witness?