Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The whole thrust of policy is to get control of emissions and to decarbonise the energy sector. We have had considerable success so far. International experts regard Ireland having 17% of its electricity generated from wind as a considerable achievement.

The figures Deputy Colreavy referred to relate to the amount of renewable energy added per annum. It is not even. We have targets to 2020 with which we must comply. The development on an annual basis will not be equal, however. There will be more megawattage put in place in one year than another. Last year was not the best year we had in this regard. This was, to some degree, due to difficult regulatory questions that arose and had to be resolved. They have been resolved now and, as a result, in 2013 and 2014 one will see progress in this area.